Form 10-Q
Table of Contents

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

Form 10-Q

 

 

(Mark One)

x QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2010

OR

 

¨ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from              to             

Commission file number 1-15967

 

 

The Dun & Bradstreet Corporation

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   22-3725387
(State of incorporation)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
103 JFK Parkway, Short Hills, NJ   07078
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (973) 921-5500

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  x    No  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one:)

Large accelerated filer  x    Accelerated  filer  ¨    Non-accelerated filer  ¨    Smaller reporting company  ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes  ¨    No  x

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date:

 

Title of Class

 

Shares Outstanding at September 30, 2010

Common Stock,

par value $0.01 per share

  49,812,207

 

 

 


Table of Contents

 

THE DUN & BRADSTREET CORPORATION

INDEX TO FORM 10-Q

 

          Page  
  

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

     3   

Item 1.

  

Financial Statements

     3   
  

Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Three Month and Nine Month Periods Ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 (Unaudited)

     3   
  

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009 (Unaudited)

     4   
  

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 (Unaudited)

     5   
  

Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity (Deficit) for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 (Unaudited)

     6   
  

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

     7   

Item 1a.

  

Risk Factors

     34   

Item 2.

  

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

     35   

Item 3.

  

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

     64   

Item 4.

  

Controls and Procedures

     64   
  

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

     66   

Item 1.

  

Legal Proceedings

     66   

Item 2.

  

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

     66   

Item 6.

  

Exhibits

     67   
  

Signatures

     68   

 

2


Table of Contents

 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Financial Statements

The Dun & Bradstreet Corporation

Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited)

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
    Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2010     2009     2010     2009  
    

(Amounts in millions,

except per share data)

 

Revenue

   $ 400.4      $ 399.0      $ 1,194.9      $ 1,223.3   
                                

Operating Expenses

     146.9        120.5        408.6        366.9   

Selling and Administrative Expenses

     157.5        159.9        469.1        480.4   

Depreciation and Amortization

     17.1        13.8        48.3        42.4   

Restructuring Charge

     3.9        12.2        10.1        16.3   
                                

Operating Costs

     325.4        306.4        936.1        906.0   
                                

Operating Income

     75.0        92.6        258.8        317.3   
                                

Interest Income

     0.5        0.6        1.4        2.5   

Interest Expense

     (11.0     (11.4     (34.3     (34.2

Other Income (Expense) - Net

     25.2        (2.0     27.7        13.9   
                                

Non-Operating Income (Expense) - Net

     14.7        (12.8     (5.2     (17.8
                                

Income Before Provision for Income Taxes and Equity in Net Income of Affiliates

     89.7        79.8        253.6        299.5   

Provision for Income Taxes

     33.4        25.4        95.3        63.5   

Equity in Net Income of Affiliates

     0.5        0.3        0.7        1.0   
                                

Net Income

     56.8        54.7        159.0        237.0   

Less: Net (Income) Loss Attributable to the Noncontrolling Interest

     (0.3     (0.7     0.5        (2.0
                                

Net Income Attributable to D&B

   $ 56.5      $ 54.0      $ 159.5      $ 235.0   
                                

Basic Earnings Per Share of Common Stock

        

Attributable to D&B Common Shareholders

   $ 1.13      $ 1.03      $ 3.17      $ 4.44   
                                

Diluted Earnings Per Share of Common Stock

        

Attributable to D&B Common Shareholders

   $ 1.12      $ 1.02      $ 3.14      $ 4.39   
                                

Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding - Basic

     49.7        52.0        50.0        52.6   

Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding - Diluted

     50.1        52.6        50.5        53.2   

Cash Dividend Paid Per Common Share

   $ 0.35      $ 0.34      $ 1.05      $ 1.02   

Comprehensive Income Attributable to D&B

   $ 96.4      $ 68.0      $ 152.0      $ 278.2   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the unaudited consolidated financial statements.

 

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The Dun & Bradstreet Corporation

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)

 

     September 30,
2010
    December 31,
2009
 
     (Amounts in millions, except
per share data)
 

ASSETS

    

Current Assets

    

Cash and Cash Equivalents

   $ 77.2      $ 222.9   

Accounts Receivable, Net of Allowance of $15.4 at September 30, 2010 and $15.5 at December 31, 2009

     385.1        464.1   

Other Receivables

     13.6        8.0   

Prepaid Taxes

     3.1        3.1   

Deferred Income Tax

     29.9        31.4   

Other Current Assets

     40.7        30.1   
                

Total Current Assets

     549.6        759.6   
                

Non-Current Assets

    

Property, Plant and Equipment, Net of Accumulated Depreciation of $80.5 at September 30, 2010 and $80.6 at December 31, 2009

     53.1        53.6   

Computer Software, Net of Accumulated Amortization of $362.7 at September 30, 2010 and $347.7 at December 31, 2009

     128.6        119.2   

Goodwill

     579.9        440.8   

Deferred Income Tax

     166.0        181.9   

Other Receivables

     54.2        43.8   

Other Intangibles

     137.4        91.2   

Other Non-Current Assets

     58.5        59.3   
                

Total Non-Current Assets

     1,177.7        989.8   
                

Total Assets

   $ 1,727.3      $ 1,749.4   
                

LIABILITIES

    

Current Liabilities

    

Accounts Payable

   $ 34.2      $ 36.4   

Accrued Payroll

     101.1        104.9   

Accrued Income Tax

     14.5        3.0   

Short-Term Debt

     301.4        1.7   

Other Accrued and Current Liabilities (Note 6)

     194.6        173.4   

Deferred Revenue

     516.2        539.7   
                

Total Current Liabilities

     1,162.0        859.1   
                

Pension and Postretirement Benefits

     419.2        490.5   

Long-Term Debt

     654.6        961.8   

Liabilities for Unrecognized Tax Benefits

     127.2        115.5   

Other Non-Current Liabilities

     81.7        56.5   
                

Total Liabilities

     2,444.7        2,483.4   
                

Contingencies (Note 7)

    

EQUITY

    

D&B SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT)

    

Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, $0.01 par value per share, authorized - 0.5 shares; outstanding - none

     0.0        0.0   

Preferred Stock, $0.01 par value per share, authorized - 9.5 shares; outstanding - none

     0.0        0.0   

Series Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share, authorized - 10.0 shares; outstanding - none

     0.0        0.0   

Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share, authorized - 200.0 shares; issued - 81.9 shares

     0.8        0.8   

Capital Surplus

     226.0        209.5   

Retained Earnings

     1,937.5        1,830.7   

Treasury Stock, at cost, 32.1 shares at September 30, 2010 and 30.7 shares at December 31, 2009

     (2,203.5     (2,097.7

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

     (687.4     (689.0
                

Total D&B Shareholders’ Equity (Deficit)

     (726.6     (745.7
                

Noncontrolling Interest

     9.2        11.7   
                

Total Equity (Deficit)

     (717.4     (734.0
                

Total Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity (Deficit)

   $ 1,727.3      $ 1,749.4   
                

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the unaudited consolidated financial statements.

 

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The Dun & Bradstreet Corporation

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)

 

     For the Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2010     2009  
     (Amounts in millions)  

Cash Flows from Operating Activities:

    

Net Income

   $ 159.0      $ 237.0   

Reconciliation of Net Income to Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities:

    

Depreciation and Amortization

     48.3        42.4   

Amortization of Unrecognized Pension Loss

     9.7        13.5   

Gain from Sales of Businesses

     (23.9     (9.3

Impairment of Intangible Assets

     20.4        0.0   

Income Tax Benefit from Stock-Based Awards

     6.5        10.8   

Excess Tax Benefit on Stock-Based Awards

     (1.5     (4.6

Equity-Based Compensation

     15.3        17.2   

Restructuring Charge

     10.1        16.3   

Restructuring Payments

     (15.2     (18.2

Deferred Income Taxes, Net

     11.7        16.1   

Accrued Income Taxes, Net

     17.1        (39.2

Changes in Current Assets and Liabilities:

    

Decrease in Accounts Receivable

     78.8        100.7   

(Increase) Decrease in Other Current Assets

     (8.4     1.2   

Decrease in Deferred Revenue

     (11.3     (52.6

Decrease in Accounts Payable

     (7.4     (12.4

Increase (Decrease) in Accrued Liabilities

     9.7        (1.1

Increase in Other Accrued and Current Liabilities

     0.9        0.9   

Changes in Non-Current Assets and Liabilities:

    

(Increase) Decrease in Other Long-Term Assets

     (6.1     6.5   

Net Decrease in Long-Term Liabilities

     (34.1     (24.4

Net, Other Non-Cash Adjustments

     (0.7     2.0   
                

Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities

     278.9        302.8   
                

Cash Flows from Investing Activities:

    

Proceeds from Sales of Businesses, Net

     9.0        11.1   

Payments for Acquisitions of Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired

     (203.3     (74.2

Investment in Debt Security

     0.0        (5.0

Cash Settlements of Foreign Currency Contracts

     2.0        9.4   

Capital Expenditures

     (7.6     (6.0

Additions to Computer Software and Other Intangibles

     (41.3     (41.9

Net, Other

     5.6        0.0   
                

Net Cash Used in Investing Activities

     (235.6     (106.6
                

Cash Flows from Financing Activities:

    

Payments for Purchases of Treasury Shares

     (114.8     (143.4

Net Proceeds from Stock-Based Awards

     3.0        14.5   

Payment of Debt

     (0.7     0.0   

Payments of Dividends

     (52.6     (53.9

Proceeds from Borrowings on Credit Facilities

     112.6        183.3   

Payments of Borrowings on Credit Facilities

     (119.9     (195.2

Excess Tax Benefit on Stock-Based Awards

     1.5        4.6   

Capital Lease and Other Long-Term Financing Obligation Payment

     (2.0     0.0   

Net, Other

     (2.3     (0.3
                

Net Cash Used in Financing Activities

     (175.2     (190.4
                

Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash and Cash Equivalents

     (13.8     17.3   
                

(Decrease) Increase in Cash and Cash Equivalents

     (145.7     23.1   

Cash and Cash Equivalents, Beginning of Period

     222.9        164.2   
                

Cash and Cash Equivalents, End of Period

   $ 77.2      $ 187.3   
                

Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information:

    

Cash Paid (Received) for:

    

Income Taxes, Net of Refunds

   $ 60.0      $ 75.9   

Interest

   $ 31.0      $ 30.8   

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the unaudited consolidated financial statements.

 

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The Dun & Bradstreet Corporation

Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity (Deficit) (Unaudited)

 

    For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010 and 2009  
   

Accumulated Other

Comprehensive Income (Loss)

 
    Common
Stock
($0.01
Par
Value)
    Capital
Surplus
    Retained
Earnings
    Treasury
Stock
    Cumulative
Translation
Adjustment
    Minimum
Pension
Liability
Adjustment
    Derivative
Financial
Instrument
    Total
D&B
Share-

holders’
Equity
(Deficit)
    Non-
controlling
Interest
    Total
Equity
(Deficit)
    Compre-
hensive
Income
(Loss)
 

Balance, December 31, 2008

    0.8        206.1        1,582.8        (1,924.4     (204.3     (514.2     (3.5     (856.7     6.1        (850.6  

Net Income

        235.0                235.0        2.0        237.0      $ 237.0   

Purchase of shares

                  0.0        3.1        3.1     

Payment to noncontrolling interest

                  0.0        (0.5     (0.5  

Equity-Based Plans

      4.1          35.7              39.8          39.8     

Treasury Shares Acquired

          (143.4           (143.4       (143.4  

Pension Adjustments, net of tax of $10.9

              15.0          15.0          15.0        15.0   

Dividend Declared

        (53.9             (53.9       (53.9  

Adjustments to Legacy Tax Matters

      4.9                  4.9          4.9     

Change in Cumulative Translation Adjustment

            27.8            27.8        0.1        27.9        27.9   

Derivative Financial Instruments, no tax impact

                0.4        0.4          0.4        0.4   
                           

Total Comprehensive Income (Loss)

                      $ 280.3   
                                                                                       

Balance, September 30, 2009

  $ 0.8      $ 215.1      $ 1,763.9      $ (2,032.1   $ (176.5   $ (499.2   $ (3.1   $ (731.1   $ 10.8      $ (720.3  
                                                                                 

Comprehensive Income Attributable to the Noncontrolling Interest

                        (2.1
                           

Comprehensive Income Attributable to D&B

                      $ 278.2   
                           

Balance, December 31, 2009

    0.8        209.5        1,830.7        (2,097.7     (161.4     (524.6     (3.0     (745.7     11.7        (734.0  
                                                                                 

Net Income

        159.5                159.5        (0.5     159.0      $ 159.0   

Purchase of shares

      (0.3               (0.3     (0.2     (0.5  

Payment to noncontrolling interest

                  0.0        (1.9     (1.9  

Equity-Based Plans

      11.9          9.0              20.9          20.9     

Treasury Shares Acquired

          (114.8           (114.8       (114.8  

Pension Adjustments, net of tax of $5.0

              32.6          32.6          32.6        23.5   

Dividend Declared

        (52.7             (52.7       (52.7  

Adjustments to Legacy Tax Matters

      4.9                  4.9          4.9     

Change in Cumulative Translation Adjustment

            (30.6         (30.6     0.1        (30.5     (30.5

Derivative Financial Instruments, no tax impact

                (0.4     (0.4       (0.4     (0.4
                           

Total Comprehensive Income (Loss)

                      $ 151.6   
                                                                                       

Balance, September 30, 2010

  $ 0.8      $ 226.0      $ 1,937.5      $ (2,203.5   $ (192.0   $ (492.0   $ (3.4   $ (726.6   $ 9.2      $ (717.4  
                                                                                 

Comprehensive Income Attributable to the Noncontrolling Interest

                        0.4   
                           

Comprehensive Income Attributable to D&B

                      $ 152.0   
                           

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the unaudited consolidated financial statements.

 

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THE DUN & BRADSTREET CORPORATION

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)

(Tabular dollar amounts in millions, except per share data)

Note 1 — Basis of Presentation

These interim unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the instructions to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. They should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes, which appear in The Dun & Bradstreet Corporation’s (“D&B,” “we” or “our”) Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009. The unaudited consolidated results for interim periods do not include all disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) for annual financial statements and are not necessarily indicative of results for the full year or any subsequent period. In the opinion of our management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair statement of the unaudited consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows at the dates and for the periods presented have been included.

All inter-company transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

The financial statements of the subsidiaries outside North America reflect three month and nine month periods ended August 31 in order to facilitate the timely reporting of our unaudited consolidated financial results and unaudited consolidated financial position.

Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Launches Accounting Standards Codification

In June 2009, the FASB issued FASB Accounting Standards Codification TM (“ASC”) 105-10, “Generally Accepted Accounting Principles,” or “ASC 105-10” (the “Codification”). This authoritative guidance establishes the exclusive authoritative reference for GAAP for use in financial statements, except for Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) rules and interpretative releases, which are also authoritative GAAP for SEC registrants. The Codification supersedes all existing non-SEC accounting and reporting standards. All other grandfathered, non-SEC accounting literature not included in the Codification is nonauthoritative.

Following the Codification, the FASB will not issue new standards in the form of Statements, FASB Staff Positions or Emerging Issues Task Force Abstracts. Instead, it will issue Accounting Standards Updates (“ASU”), which will serve to update the Codification, provide background information about the authoritative guidance and provide the basis for conclusions on the changes to the Codification.

GAAP is not intended to be changed as a result of the Codification, but it has changed the way the authoritative guidance is organized and presented. As a result, these changes made an impact on how we reference GAAP in our financial statements and in our accounting policies. Where appropriate, we have conformed, throughout this Form 10-Q, references to both the Codification and/or the previous GAAP source reference.

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)-continued

(Tabular dollar amounts in millions, except per share data)

 

 

Note 2 — Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In February 2010, the FASB issued ASU No. 2010-9, “Amendments to Certain Recognition and Disclosure Requirements,” which amends authoritative guidance on certain implementation issues related to an entity’s requirement to perform and disclose subsequent events procedures. The authoritative guidance requires SEC filers to evaluate subsequent events through the date the financial statements are available to be issued and exempts SEC filers from disclosing the date through which subsequent events have been evaluated. The authoritative guidance was effective immediately for financial statements that are issued or available to be issued. We adopted the authoritative guidance as of January 1, 2010, and it did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In January 2010, the FASB issued ASU No. 2010-06, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures—Improving Disclosures and Fair Value Measurements,” which adds new requirements for disclosures about transfers into and out of Level I and Level II and for separate disclosures about purchases, sales, issuances and settlements relating to Level III measurements. In addition, this amendment further clarifies the existing fair value disclosure requirements. The authoritative guidance is effective for the first interim or annual reporting period beginning after December 15, 2009, except for the newly added disclosure for Level III activity, which will be effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2010. We adopted the authoritative guidance in the fourth quarter of 2009 for disclosures related to Level I and Level II. The adoption of this section of the authoritative guidance did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. We expect to adopt the new disclosures on Level III in the fourth quarter of 2010. We are currently assessing the impact of the adoption of the Level III section of the authoritative guidance will have, if any, on our consolidated financial statements.

In December 2009, the FASB issued ASU No. 2009-17, “Improvements to Financial Reporting by Enterprises Involved with Variable Interest Entities,” which amends consolidation guidance that applies to variable interest entities or “VIEs.” This guidance changes how a reporting entity evaluates whether an entity is considered the primary beneficiary of a VIE and is therefore required to consolidate the VIE. The guidance requires assessments at each reporting period to determine whether an entity is a VIE, which party within the VIE is considered the primary beneficiary and which type of financial statement disclosures are required. The authoritative guidance was effective as of the beginning of the first fiscal year that begins after November 15, 2009. We adopted the authoritative guidance on January 1, 2010 and it did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In October 2009, the FASB issued ASU No. 2009-14, “Certain Revenue Arrangements that Include Software Elements,” which amends guidance in ASC 985-605, “Software,” which focuses on determining which arrangements are included or excluded from the scope of existing software revenue guidance under ASC 985. This guidance removes non-software components of tangible products and certain software components of tangible products from the scope of the existing software revenue guidance, resulting in the recognition of revenue similar to that for other tangible products. The authoritative guidance may be applied prospectively to revenue arrangements entered into or materially modified in fiscal years beginning on or after June 15, 2010 or retrospectively for all arrangements in the period presented. We expect to adopt the authoritative guidance on January 1, 2011. We are currently assessing the impact of the adoption of this authoritative guidance will have, if any, on our consolidated financial statements.

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)-continued

(Tabular dollar amounts in millions, except per share data)

 

 

In October 2009, the FASB issued ASU No. 2009-13, “Revenue Recognition—Multiple-Deliverable Revenue Arrangements,” which amends guidance in ASC 605-25, “Revenue Recognition: Multiple-Element Arrangements.” The guidance will allow companies to allocate arrangement consideration in multiple deliverable arrangements in a manner that better reflects the transaction’s economics. It also provides principles and application guidance on whether multiple deliverables exist, how the arrangement should be separated, and the consideration allocated. It also requires an entity to allocate revenue in an arrangement using estimated selling prices of deliverables if a vendor does not have vendor-specific objective evidence or third-party evidence of selling price. The guidance eliminates the use of the residual method, requires entities to allocate revenue using the relative-selling-price method and significantly expands the disclosure requirements for multiple-deliverable revenue arrangements. The authoritative guidance requires new and expanded disclosures and is applied prospectively to revenue arrangements entered into or materially modified in fiscal years beginning on or after June 15, 2010 or retrospectively for all periods presented. We expect to adopt the authoritative guidance on January 1, 2011. We are currently assessing the impact of the adoption of this authoritative guidance will have, if any, on our consolidated financial statements.

Note 3 — Restructuring Charge

Financial Flexibility is an ongoing process by which we seek to reallocate our spending from low-growth or low-value activities to other activities that will create greater value for shareholders through enhanced revenue growth, improved profitability and/or quality improvements. With each initiative, we have incurred restructuring charges (which generally consist of employee severance and termination costs, contract terminations, asset write-offs, and/or costs to terminate lease obligations less assumed sublease income). These charges are incurred as a result of eliminating, consolidating, standardizing and/or automating our business functions. We have also incurred transition costs such as consulting fees, costs of temporary workers, relocation costs and stay bonuses to implement our Financial Flexibility initiatives.

Restructuring charges have been recorded in accordance with ASC 712-10, “Nonretirement Postemployment Benefits,” or “ASC 712-10,” and/or ASC 420-10, “Exit or Disposal Cost Obligations,” or “ASC 420-10,” as appropriate.

We record severance costs provided under an ongoing benefit arrangement once they are both probable and estimable in accordance with the provisions of ASC 712-10.

We account for one-time termination benefits, contract terminations, asset write-offs, and/or costs to terminate lease obligations less assumed sublease income in accordance with ASC 420-10, which addresses financial accounting and reporting for costs associated with restructuring activities. Under ASC 420-10, we establish a liability for a cost associated with an exit or disposal activity, including severance and lease termination obligations, and other related costs, when the liability is incurred, rather than at the date that we commit to an exit plan. We reassess the expected cost to complete the exit or disposal activities at the end of each reporting period and adjust our remaining estimated liabilities, if necessary.

The determination of when we accrue for severance costs and which standard applies depends on whether the termination benefits are provided under an ongoing arrangement as described in ASC 712-10 or under a one-time benefit arrangement as defined by ASC 420-10. Inherent in the estimation of the costs related to the restructurings are assessments related to the most likely expected outcome of the significant actions to accomplish the exit activities. In determining the charges related to the restructurings, we had to make estimates related to the expenses associated with the restructurings. These estimates may vary significantly from actual costs depending, in part, upon factors that may be beyond our control. We will continue to review the status of our restructuring obligations on a quarterly basis and, if appropriate, record changes to these obligations in current operations based on management’s most current estimates.

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)-continued

(Tabular dollar amounts in millions, except per share data)

 

 

Three Months Ended September 30, 2010 vs. Three Months Ended September 30, 2009

During the three months ended September 30, 2010, we recorded a $3.9 million restructuring charge in connection with Financial Flexibility initiatives. The significant components of these charges included:

 

   

Severance and termination costs of $3.3 million in accordance with the provisions of ASC 712-10 were recorded. Approximately 100 employees were impacted; and

 

   

Lease termination obligations, other costs to consolidate or close facilities and other exit costs of $0.6 million were recorded.

During the three months ended September 30, 2009, we recorded a $12.2 million restructuring charge in connection with the Financial Flexibility initiatives. The significant components of these charges included:

 

   

Severance and termination costs of $4.9 million in accordance with the provisions of ASC 712-10 were recorded. Approximately 420 employees were impacted; and

 

   

Lease termination obligations, other costs to consolidate or close facilities and other exit costs of $7.3 million were recorded.

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010 vs. Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009

During the nine months ended September 30, 2010, we recorded a $10.1 million restructuring charge in connection with Financial Flexibility initiatives. The significant components of these charges included:

 

   

Severance and termination costs of $6.9 million in accordance with the provisions of ASC 712-10 were recorded. Approximately 250 employees were impacted; and

 

   

Lease termination obligations, other costs to consolidate or close facilities and other exit costs of $3.2 million were recorded.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2009, we recorded a $16.3 million restructuring charge in connection with the Financial Flexibility initiatives. The significant components of these charges included:

 

   

Severance and termination costs of $6.2 million in accordance with the provisions of ASC 712-10 were recorded. Approximately 480 employees were impacted; and

 

   

Lease termination obligations, other costs to consolidate or close facilities and other exit costs of $10.1 million were recorded.

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)-continued

(Tabular dollar amounts in millions, except per share data)

 

 

The following tables set forth, in accordance with ASC 712-10 and/or ASC 420-10, the restructuring reserves and utilization related to our Financial Flexibility initiatives:

 

     Severance
and
Termination
    Lease
Termination
Obligations

and Other
Exit Costs
    Total  

Restructuring Charges:

      

Balance Remaining as of December 31, 2009

   $ 13.8      $ 0.7      $ 14.5   

Charge Taken during First Quarter 2010

     2.1        2.5        4.6   

Payments during First Quarter 2010

     (6.1     (0.5     (6.6
                        

Balance Remaining as of March 31, 2010

   $ 9.8      $ 2.7      $ 12.5   
                        

Charge Taken during Second Quarter 2010

   $ 1.5      $ 0.1      $ 1.6   

Payments during Second Quarter 2010

     (3.5     (0.9     (4.4
                        

Balance Remaining as of June 30, 2010

   $ 7.8      $ 1.9      $ 9.7   
                        

Charge Taken during Third Quarter 2010

   $ 3.3      $ 0.6      $ 3.9   

Payments during Third Quarter 2010

     (3.4     (0.8     (4.2
                        

Balance Remaining as of September 30, 2010

   $ 7.7      $ 1.7      $ 9.4   
                        

Restructuring Charges:

      

Balance Remaining as of December 31, 2008

   $ 21.7      $ 0.2      $ 21.9   

Charge Taken during First Quarter 2009

     0.9        0.4        1.3   

Payments during First Quarter 2009

     (6.4     (0.2     (6.6
                        

Balance Remaining as of March 31, 2009

   $ 16.2      $ 0.4      $ 16.6   
                        

Charge Taken during Second Quarter 2009

   $ 0.4      $ 2.4      $ 2.8   

Payments during Second Quarter 2009

     (6.1     (0.8     (6.9
                        

Balance Remaining as of June 30, 2009

   $ 10.5      $ 2.0      $ 12.5   
                        

Charge Taken during Third Quarter 2009

   $ 4.9      $ 7.3      $ 12.2   

Payments during Third Quarter 2009

     (4.1     (0.6     (4.7
                        

Balance Remaining as of September 30, 2009

   $ 11.3      $ 8.7      $ 20.0   
                        

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)-continued

(Tabular dollar amounts in millions, except per share data)

 

 

Note 4 — Notes Payable and Indebtedness

Our borrowings are summarized in the following table:

 

     At
September 30,
2010
     At
December 31,
2009
 

Debt Maturing Within One Year:

     

Fixed-Rate Notes (Net of a $0.1 million discount as of September 30, 2010)

   $ 299.9       $ —     

Other

     1.5         1.7   
                 

Total Debt Maturing Within One Year

   $ 301.4       $ 1.7   
                 

Debt Maturing After One Year:

     

Long-Term Fixed-Rate Notes (Net of a $0.2 million discount as of

     

December 31, 2009)

   $ 400.0       $ 699.8   

Credit Facility

     252.0         259.4   

Other

     2.6         2.6   
                 

Total Debt Maturing After One Year

   $ 654.6       $ 961.8   
                 

Fixed-Rate Notes

In April 2008, we issued senior notes with a face value of $400 million that mature on April 1, 2013 (the “2013 notes”), bearing interest at a fixed annual rate of 6.00%, payable semi-annually. The interest rate applicable to the 2013 notes is subject to adjustment if our debt rating is decreased four levels below our A- credit rating on the date of issuance of the 2013 notes or subsequently upgraded rating. The maximum adjustment is 2.00% above the initial interest rate. As of September 30, 2010, no such adjustments to the interest rate have been made. Proceeds from this issuance were used to repay indebtedness under our credit facility. The 2013 notes are recorded as “Long-Term Debt” in our unaudited consolidated balance sheet at September 30, 2010.

The 2013 notes were issued at face value and, in connection with the issuance, we incurred underwriting and other fees of $3.0 million. These costs are being amortized over the life of the 2013 notes. The 2013 notes contain certain covenants that limit our ability to create liens, enter into sale and leaseback transactions and consolidate, merge or sell assets to another entity. The 2013 notes do not contain any financial covenants.

On January 30, 2008, we entered into interest rate derivative transactions with an aggregate notional amount of $400 million. The objective of these hedges was to mitigate the variability of future cash flows from market changes in Treasury rates in the anticipation of the issuance of the 2013 notes. These transactions were accounted for as cash flow hedges and, as such, changes in fair value of the hedges that took place through the date of the issuance of the 2013 notes were recorded in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (“AOCI”). In connection with the issuance of the 2013 notes, these interest rate derivative transactions were terminated, resulting in a loss and a payment of $8.5 million on March 28, 2008, the date of termination. The payments are recorded in AOCI and are being amortized over the life of the 2013 notes.

In March 2006, we issued senior notes with a face value of $300 million that mature on March 15, 2011 (the “2011 notes”), bearing interest at a fixed annual rate of 5.50%, payable semi-annually. The proceeds were used to repay our then existing $300 million senior notes, bearing interest at a fixed annual rate of 6.625% which matured on March 15, 2006. During the first quarter of 2010, these notes have been reclassified from long term debt to short term debt because they will mature in one year. The 2011 notes of $299.9 million, net of a $0.1 million remaining discount, are recorded as “Short-Term Debt” in our unaudited consolidated balance sheet at September 30, 2010. The 2011 notes of $299.8 million, net of a $0.2 million remaining discount, are recorded as “Long-Term Debt” in our audited consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2009.

The 2011 notes were issued at a discount of $0.8 million and, in connection with the issuance, we incurred underwriting and other fees of $2.2 million. These costs are being amortized over the life of the 2011 notes. The 2011 notes contain certain covenants that limit our ability to create liens, enter into sale and leaseback transactions and consolidate, merge or sell assets to another entity. The 2011 notes do not contain any financial covenants.

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)-continued

(Tabular dollar amounts in millions, except per share data)

 

 

On February 10, 2006 and September 30, 2005, we entered into interest rate derivative transactions with aggregate notional amounts of $100 million and $200 million, respectively. The objective of these hedges was to mitigate the variability of future cash flows from market changes in Treasury rates in the anticipation of the issuance of the 2011 notes. These transactions were accounted for as cash flow hedges. Changes in fair value of the hedges that took place through the date of the issuance of the 2011 notes were recorded in AOCI. These interest rate derivative transactions were executed in connection with the issuance of the 2011 notes, resulting in proceeds of $5.0 million at the date of termination. The proceeds are recorded in AOCI and are being amortized over the life of the 2011 notes.

Credit Facility

At September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, we had a $650 million, five-year bank revolving credit facility, which expires in April 2012. Borrowings under the $650 million credit facility are available at prevailing short-term interest rates. The facility requires the maintenance of interest coverage and total debt to Earnings Before Income Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization (“EBITDA”) ratios which are defined in the credit agreement. We were in compliance with these covenants at September 30, 2010 and at December 31, 2009.

At September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, we had $252.0 million and $259.4 million, respectively, of borrowings outstanding under the $650 million credit facility with weighted average interest rates of 0.56% and 0.47%, respectively. We borrowed under these facilities from time-to-time during the nine months ended September 30, 2010 to fund our working capital needs and share repurchases. The $650 million credit facility also supports our commercial paper borrowings of up to $300 million (limited by borrowed amounts outstanding under the facility). We did not borrow under our commercial paper program as of and for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 or for the year ended December 31, 2009.

In January 2009 and December 2008, we entered into interest rate swap agreements with aggregate notional amounts of $25 million and $75 million, respectively, and designated these swaps as cash flow hedges against variability in cash flows related to our $650 million credit facility. These transactions were accounted for as cash flow hedges and, as such, changes in fair value of the hedges are recorded in AOCI. Approximately $1.7 million of net derivative losses associated with these swaps was included in AOCI at September 30, 2010.

Other

At September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, certain of our International operations had non-committed lines of credit of $4.5 million and $9.6 million, respectively. There were no borrowings outstanding under these lines of credit at September 30, 2010 or December 31, 2009. These arrangements have no material commitment fees and no compensating balance requirements.

At September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, we were contingently liable under open standby letters of credit issued by our bank in favor of third parties totaling $3.3 million and $9.6 million, respectively.

Interest paid for all outstanding debt totaled $8.6 million and $31.0 million during the three month and nine month periods ended September 30, 2010, respectively. During the three month and nine month periods ended September 30, 2009, interest paid for all outstanding debt totaled $9.0 million and $30.8 million, respectively.

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)-continued

(Tabular dollar amounts in millions, except per share data)

 

 

Note 5 — Earnings Per Share

In accordance with the authoritative guidance in ASC 260-10, we are required to assess if any of our share-based payment transactions are deemed participating securities prior to vesting and therefore need to be included in the earnings allocation when computing EPS under the two-class method. The two-class method requires earnings to be allocated between common shareholders and holders of participating securities. All outstanding unvested share-based payment awards that contain non-forfeitable rights to dividends are considered to be a separate class of common stock and should be included in the calculation of basic and diluted EPS. Based on a review of our stock-based awards, we have determined that only our restricted stock awards are deemed participating securities. The weighted average restricted shares outstanding were 0.2 million shares and 0.4 million shares for the three months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively. The weighted average restricted shares outstanding were 0.2 million shares and 0.4 million shares for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

 

     For the Three Months Ended
September 30,
    For the Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2010     2009     2010     2009  

Net Income Attributable to D&B

   $ 56.5      $ 54.0      $ 159.5      $ 235.0   

Less: Allocation to Participating Securities

     (0.2     (0.4     (0.7     (1.6
                                

Net Income Applicable to D&B Common Shareholders - Basic and Diluted

   $ 56.3      $ 53.6      $ 158.8      $ 233.4   
                                

Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding - Basic

     49.7        52.0        50.0        52.6   

Dilutive Effect of Our Stock Incentive Plans

     0.4        0.6        0.5        0.6   
                                

Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding - Diluted

     50.1        52.6        50.5        53.2   
                                

Basic Earnings Per Share of Common Stock Attributable to D&B Common Shareholders

   $ 1.13      $ 1.03      $ 3.17      $ 4.44   
                                

Diluted Earnings Per Share of Common Stock Attributable to D&B Common Shareholders

   $ 1.12      $ 1.02      $ 3.14      $ 4.39   
                                

Stock-based awards to acquire 1.8 million shares and 1.3 million shares of common stock were outstanding at the three months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively, but were not included in the quarter-to-date computation of diluted earnings per share because the assumed proceeds, as calculated under the treasury stock method, resulted in these awards being anti-dilutive.

Stock-based awards to acquire 1.5 million shares and 1.1 million shares of common stock were outstanding at the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively, but were not included in the year-to-date computation of diluted earnings per share because the assumed proceeds, as calculated under the treasury stock method, resulted in these awards being anti-dilutive. Our options generally expire 10 years from the grant date.

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)-continued

(Tabular dollar amounts in millions, except per share data)

 

 

Our share repurchases were as follows:

 

     For the Three Months Ended September 30,      For the Nine Months Ended September 30,  

Program

   2010      2009      2010      2009  
     Shares     $Amount      Shares     $Amount      Shares     $Amount      Shares     $Amount  

Share Repurchase Programs

     0.3 (a)    $ 18.0         0.9 (b)    $ 60.0         0.9 (a)    $ 63.0         1.4 (b)    $ 102.5   

Repurchases to Mitigate the Dilutive Effect of the Shares Issued Under Our Stock Incentive Plans and Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“ESPP”)

     —   (c)      2.0         —   (c)      4.4         0.6 (c)      51.8         0.5 (c)      40.9   
                                                                   

Total Repurchases

     0.3      $ 20.0         0.9      $ 64.4         1.5      $ 114.8         1.9      $ 143.4   
                                                                   

 

(a) In February 2009, our Board of Directors approved a $200 million share repurchase program, which commenced in December 2009 upon completion of our then existing $400 million, two-year repurchase program. We repurchased 0.3 million shares of common stock for $18.0 million under this repurchase program during the three months ended September 30, 2010. We repurchased 0.9 million shares of common stock for $63.0 million under this repurchase program during the nine months ended September 30, 2010. We anticipate that this program will be completed by December 2011.

 

(b) In December 2007, our Board of Directors approved a $400 million, two-year share repurchase program, which commenced in February 2008 upon completion of our then existing $200 million repurchase program. We repurchased 0.9 million shares of common stock for $60.0 million under this repurchase program during the three months ended September 30, 2009. We repurchased 1.4 million shares of common stock for $102.5 million under this repurchase program during the nine months ended September 30, 2009. This program was completed in December 2009.

 

(c) In August 2006, our Board of Directors approved a four-year, five million share repurchase program to mitigate the dilutive effect of the shares issued under our stock incentive plans and ESPP. This program expired in August 2010 with 4.8 million of the authorized 5.0 million shares being repurchased over the life of the program.

In May 2010, in anticipation of the expiration of our then existing four-year, five million share repurchase program, our Board of Directors approved a new four-year, five million share repurchased program to mitigate the dilutive effect of the shares issued under our stock incentive plans and ESPP. As of September 30, 2010, we had not yet commenced repurchasing under this program.

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)-continued

(Tabular dollar amounts in millions, except per share data)

 

 

Note 6 — Other Accrued and Current Liabilities

 

     At September 30,
2010
     At December 31,
2009
 

Restructuring Accruals

   $ 9.4       $ 14.5   

Professional Fees

     49.9         37.3   

Operating Expenses

     36.8         32.0   

Spin-Off Obligation(1)

     21.5         21.5   

Other Accrued Liabilities

     77.0         68.1   
                 
   $ 194.6       $ 173.4   
                 

 

(1) In 2000, as part of a spin-off transaction under which Moody’s Corporation (“Moody’s”) and D&B became independent of one another, Moody’s and D&B entered into a Tax Allocation Agreement (“TAA”). Under the TAA, Moody’s and D&B agreed that Moody’s would be entitled to deduct the compensation expense associated with the exercise of Moody’s stock options (including Moody’s stock options exercised by D&B employees) and D&B would be entitled to deduct the compensation expense associated with the exercise of D&B stock options (including D&B stock options exercised by employees of Moody’s). Put simply, the tax deduction would go to the company that granted the stock options, rather than to the employer of the individual exercising the stock options. In 2002 and 2003, the IRS issued rulings that clarified that, under the circumstances applicable to Moody’s and D&B, the compensation expense deduction belongs to the employer of the option grantee and not to the issuer of the option (e.g., D&B would be entitled to deduct the compensation expense associated with D&B employees exercising Moody’s options and Moody’s would be entitled to deduct the compensation expense associated with Moody’s employees exercising D&B options). We have filed tax returns for 2001 through 2009, and made estimated tax deposits for 2010, consistent with the IRS’ rulings. Under the TAA, we may be required to reimburse Moody’s for the loss of compensation expense deductions relating to tax years 2003 to the third quarter of 2010 of approximately $21.5 million in the aggregate for such years, which amounts principally relate to the years 2006-2010. In 2005 and 2006, we paid Moody’s approximately $30.1 million in the aggregate under the TAA. We have not made any payments to Moody’s since the first quarter of 2006 with respect to this issue. In a letter dated September 10, 2010, Moody’s asserted that D&B has failed to reimburse Moody’s approximately $2.8 million plus interest as a result of the change in reporting position for 2003-2005 and that Moody’s may initiate an arbitration proceeding in connection therewith. We responded to Moody’s that we disagreed with its position and proposed meeting to discuss and resolve the matter. We are in the process of scheduling that meeting. While not material, we may also be required to pay, in the future, amounts in addition to the approximately $21.5 million referenced above based upon interpretations by the parties of the TAA and the IRS rulings.

Note 7 — Contingencies

We are involved in tax and legal proceedings, claims and litigation arising in the ordinary course of business. We periodically assess our liabilities and contingencies in connection with these matters based upon the latest information available. For those matters where it is probable that we have incurred a loss and the loss, or range of loss, can be reasonably estimated, we have recorded reserves in our consolidated financial statements. In other instances, we are unable to make a reasonable estimate of any liability because of the uncertainties related to the probability of the outcome and/or amount or range of loss. As additional information becomes available, we adjust our assessment and estimates of such liabilities accordingly. It is possible that the ultimate resolution of our liabilities and contingencies could be at amounts that are different from our currently recorded reserves and that such differences could be material.

Based on our review of the latest information available, we believe our ultimate liability in connection with pending tax and legal proceedings, claims and litigation will not have a material effect on our results of operations, cash flows or financial position, with the possible exception of the matters described below.

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)-continued

(Tabular dollar amounts in millions, except per share data)

 

 

Tax Matters

Moody’s and its predecessors entered into global tax-planning initiatives in the normal course of business, principally through tax-free restructurings of both their foreign and domestic operations. We undertook contractual obligations to be financially responsible for a portion of certain liabilities arising from certain historical tax-planning initiatives.

As we last disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, we made a deposit to the IRS of $39.8 million in order to stop the accrual of statutory interest on additional taxes allegedly due for the 1997-2002 tax years. In 2007, we requested the return of that deposit. The IRS applied $16 million of our deposit in satisfaction of deficiencies it assessed for tax years 1997, 1998, 2001 and 2002 and returned the balance of the deposit to us. We have pursued refunds for a portion of the $16 million. In May 2010, the IRS refunded $5.2 million to us for the 1997 tax year (which included interest of approximately $2.5 million, resulting in a gain of approximately $4.9 million, net of tax, which is included in Provision for Income Taxes in our Consolidated Statement of Operations). We will report further gains and further returns of cash if and to the extent we are able to recover further refunds.

Quality Education Data

On May 7, 2010, the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) filed an administrative complaint against D&B alleging the acquisition of Quality Education Data (“QED”) in February 2009 violated the federal antitrust laws. On May 26, 2010, we filed an answer to the complaint, denying any liability under the antitrust laws arising from the acquisition. On August 12, 2010, D&B entered into a Consent Agreement with the FTC settling this matter. The final Order reflecting the Consent Agreement and ending the administrative litigation was approved by the Commission on September 10, 2010. Pursuant to the Order, we sold an updated version of the original QED K-12 database, QED trade names and marks, and proprietary QED software acquired in connection with the QED acquisition to a third party. We also agreed to give certain customers the option of terminating, without penalty, certain contracts they have with us at the request of the customer to consider alternative sources of K-12 data. We do not believe that this disposition of assets will have a material impact on our financial performance.

Hoover’s—Initial Public Offering Litigation

On November 15, 2001, a putative shareholder class action lawsuit was filed against Hoover’s Inc. (“Hoover’s”), certain of its then current and former officers and directors (the “Individual Defendants”), and one of the underwriters of Hoover’s July 1999 initial public offering (“IPO”). The lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York on behalf of purchasers of Hoover’s stock between July 20, 1999 and December 6, 2000. The operative complaint alleges violations of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 against Hoover’s and the Individual Defendants. Plaintiffs allege that the underwriter allocated stock in Hoover’s IPO to certain investors in exchange for commissions and agreements by those investors to make additional purchases of stock in the aftermarket at prices above the IPO price. Plaintiffs allege that the prospectus for Hoover’s IPO was false and misleading because it did not disclose these arrangements.

The defense of the action is being coordinated with more than 300 other nearly identical actions filed against other companies. The parties in the approximately 300 coordinated cases, including ours, reached a settlement. The insurers for the issuer defendants in the coordinated cases will make the settlement payment on behalf of the issuers, including Hoover’s. On October 6, 2009, the Court granted final approval of the settlement. One objector to the settlement is proceeding with an appeal to the Second Circuit.

Due to the inherent uncertainties of litigation, we cannot accurately predict the ultimate outcome of the matter. No amount in respect of any potential judgment in this matter has been accrued in our consolidated financial statements.

 

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(Tabular dollar amounts in millions, except per share data)

 

 

Other Matters

In addition, in the normal course of business, and including without limitation, our merger and acquisition activities and financing transactions, D&B indemnifies other parties, including customers, lessors and parties to other transactions with D&B, with respect to certain matters. D&B has agreed to hold the other parties harmless against losses arising from a breach of representations or covenants, or arising out of other claims made against certain parties. These agreements may limit the time within which an indemnification claim can be made and the amount of the claim. D&B has also entered into indemnity obligations with its officers and directors of the Company. Additionally, in certain circumstances, D&B issues guarantee letters on behalf of our wholly-owned subsidiaries for specific situations. It is not possible to determine the maximum potential amount of future payments under these indemnification agreements due to the limited history of prior indemnification claims and the unique facts and circumstances involved in each particular agreement. Historically, payments made by D&B under these agreements have not had a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

Note 8 — Income Taxes

For the three months ended September 30, 2010, our effective tax rate was 37.3% as compared to 31.8% for the three months ended September 30, 2009. The effective tax rate for the three months ended September 30, 2010, as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2009, was negatively impacted by reduced income in our foreign jurisdictions and the enactment of a change to UK tax laws. The effective tax rate for the three months ended September 30, 2009 was positively impacted by benefits derived from our worldwide legal entity simplification and negatively impacted by the increase in reserves for uncertain tax positions.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2010, our effective tax rate was 37.6% as compared to 21.2% for the nine months ended September 30, 2009. The effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2010, as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2009, was negatively impacted by reduced income in our foreign jurisdictions and by the reduction of the deferred tax asset associated with our accrued liability for retiree drug subsidies related to the 2010 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act which will make subsidy payments taxable in years beginning after December 31, 2012, and positively impacted by the release of reserves for uncertain tax positions following a favorable tax ruling in one of our international jurisdictions and a refund received with respect to a legacy tax matter. The effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 was positively impacted by benefits derived from worldwide legal entity simplification and our divestiture of the domestic portion of our Italian operations.

The total amount of unrecognized tax benefits as of September 30, 2010 was $146.2 million. During the three months ended September 30, 2010, we increased our unrecognized tax benefits by approximately $7.8 million, net of decreases. The increase is primarily related to uncertain tax positions recorded as part of our acquisition of Dun & Bradstreet Australia Holdings Limited (“D&B Australia”) and global tax planning initiatives. See Note 11 to our unaudited consolidated financial statements included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. During the nine months ended September 30, 2010, we increased our unrecognized tax benefits by approximately $9.3 million, net of decreases, primarily related to uncertain tax positions recorded as part of our acquisition of D&B Australia and global tax planning initiatives. The amount of unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would impact the effective tax rate was $115.5 million, net of tax benefits. We believe it is reasonably possible that the unrecognized tax benefits could decrease within the next twelve months, by approximately $23 million, as a result of not pursuing certain refund claims.

We or one of our subsidiaries files income tax returns in the U.S. federal, and various state, local and foreign jurisdictions. In the U.S. federal jurisdiction, we are no longer subject to examinations by the IRS for years prior to 2004. In state and local jurisdictions, with few exceptions, we are no longer subject to examinations by tax authorities for years prior to 2005. In foreign jurisdictions, with few exceptions, we are no longer subject to examinations by tax authorities for years prior to 2004. The IRS is examining our 2004, 2005 and 2006 tax years. We expect the examination will be completed in the first quarter of 2011.

 

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(Tabular dollar amounts in millions, except per share data)

 

 

We recognize accrued interest expense and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense. The total amount of interest expense recognized in the three month and nine month periods ended September 30, 2010 was $0.9 million and $2.2 million, net of tax benefits, respectively, as compared to $0.8 million and $1.8 million, net of tax benefits, in the three month and nine month periods ended September 30, 2009, respectively. The total amount of accrued interest and penalties as of September 30, 2010 was $12.0 million, net of tax benefits, as compared to $9.2 million, net of tax benefits, as of September 30, 2009.

Note 9 — Pension and Postretirement Benefits

The following table sets forth the components of the net periodic (income) cost associated with our pension plans and our postretirement benefit obligations.

 

     Pension Plans     Postretirement Benefit Obligations  
     For the Three Months
Ended September 30,
    For the Nine Months
Ended September 30,
    For the Three Months
Ended September 30,
    For the Nine Months
Ended September 30,
 
     2010     2009     2010     2009     2010     2009     2010     2009  

Components of Net Periodic Cost (Income):

                

Service cost

   $ 1.4      $ 2.1      $ 4.7      $ 5.1      $ 0.1      $ 0.2      $ 0.4      $ 0.5   

Interest cost

     22.5        22.5        67.9        67.9        0.3        0.9        1.7        3.2   

Expected return on plan assets

     (28.2     (28.9     (84.7     (86.5     —          —          —          —     

Amortization of prior service cost (credit)

     —          0.4        0.1        0.8        (2.6     (0.9     (4.9     (2.8

Recognized actuarial loss (gain)

     5.6        5.4        16.1        17.4        (0.7     (0.9     (1.6     (1.9
                                                                

Net Periodic Cost (Income)

   $ 1.3      $ 1.5      $ 4.1      $ 4.7      $ (2.9   $ (0.7   $ (4.4   $ (1.0
                                                                

We previously disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009 that we expected to contribute $31.0 million to our U.S. Non-Qualified plans and non-U.S. pension plans and $7.0 million to our postretirement benefit plan for the year ended December 31, 2010. As of September 30, 2010, we have made contributions to our U.S. Non-Qualified and our Non-U.S. pension plans of $22.3 million and to our postretirement benefit plan of $5.3 million.

In March 2010, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (“PPACA”) was signed into law. It was subsequently amended by the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010. As a result, the federal subsidies we receive related to the retiree health benefit plans will effectively become taxable in tax years beginning after December 31, 2012. Under ASC 740, “Income Taxes,” the impact of the change in tax law is required to be immediately recognized in our consolidated statement of operations in the period the law is enacted. As a result, we recognized $13.0 million in our tax provision in the first quarter of 2010 as well as writing off the corresponding deferred tax asset.

In addition, we decided to convert the current prescription drug program for retirees over 65 to a group-based company sponsored Medicare Part D program, or Employer Group Waiver Plan (“EGWP”). Beginning in 2013, we will use the Part D subsidies delivered through the EGWP each year to reduce net company retiree medical costs until net company costs are completely eliminated. At that time, the Part D subsidies will be shared with retirees going forward to reduce retiree contributions. We have formally adopted this change effective July 1, 2010. This plan change is accounted for as a plan amendment under ASC 715-60-35, “Compensation—Retirement Benefits.” As a result, in the third quarter of 2010, we reduced our accumulated postretirement obligation by approximately $21 million.

 

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(Tabular dollar amounts in millions, except per share data)

 

 

Note 10 — Segment Information

The operating segments reported below are our segments for which separate financial information is available and upon which operating results are evaluated by management on a timely basis to assess performance and to allocate resources. We manage our operations through the following two segments: North America (which consists of the U.S. and Canada) and International (which consists of our operations in Europe, Asia Pacific and Latin America). Our customer solution sets are D&B Risk Management Solutions ™ , D&B Sales & Marketing Solutions ™ and D&B Internet Solutions®. Inter-segment sales are immaterial and no single customer accounted for 10% or more of our total revenue. For management reporting purposes, we evaluate business segment performance before restructuring charges and our Strategic Technology Investment because these charges are not a component of our ongoing income or expenses and may have a disproportionate positive or negative impact on the results of our ongoing underlying business. Additionally, transition costs, which are period costs such as consulting fees, costs of temporary employees, relocation costs and stay bonuses incurred to implement our Financial Flexibility initiatives, are not allocated to our business segments.

 

     For the Three Months Ended
September 30,
    For the Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2010     2009     2010     2009  

Revenue:

        

North America

   $ 301.2      $ 294.0      $ 878.5      $ 896.2   

International

     94.8        88.2        283.5        249.1   
                                

Consolidated Core

     396.0        382.2        1,162.0        1,145.3   

Divested Businesses

     4.4        16.8        32.9        78.0   
                                

Consolidated Total

   $ 400.4      $ 399.0      $ 1,194.9      $ 1,223.3   
                                

Operating Income (Loss):

        

North America

   $ 93.5      $ 105.4      $ 297.2      $ 338.7   

International

     14.4        17.7        47.1        51.9   
                                

Total Divisions

     107.9        123.1        344.3        390.6   

Corporate and Other(1)

     (32.9     (30.5     (85.5     (73.3
                                

Consolidated Total

     75.0        92.6        258.8        317.3   

Non-Operating Income (Expense), Net

     14.7        (12.8     (5.2     (17.8
                                

Income Before Provision for Income Taxes and Equity in Net Income of Affiliates

   $ 89.7      $ 79.8      $ 253.6      $ 299.5   
                                

 

(1) The following table summarizes “Corporate and Other:”

 

     For the Three Months Ended
September 30,
    For the Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2010     2009     2010     2009  

Corporate Costs

   $ (16.1   $ (14.3   $ (45.8   $ (43.4

Transition Costs (costs to implement our Financial Flexibility initiatives)

     (1.1     (4.0     (5.4     (13.6

Restructuring Expense

     (3.9     (12.2     (10.1     (16.3

Strategic Technology Investment

     (11.8     —          (24.2     —     
                                

Total Corporate and Other

   $ (32.9   $ (30.5   $ (85.5   $ (73.3
                                

 

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(Tabular dollar amounts in millions, except per share data)

 

 

Supplemental Geographic and Customer Solution Set Information:

 

     For the Three Months Ended
September 30,
     For the Nine Months  Ended
September 30,
 
     2010      2009      2010      2009  

Customer Solution Set Revenue:

           

North America:

           

Risk Management Solutions

   $ 184.0       $ 182.2       $ 541.9       $ 551.4   

Sales & Marketing Solutions

     88.9         84.7         253.0         258.1   

Internet Solutions

     28.3         27.1         83.6         86.7   
                                   

North America Core Revenue

     301.2         294.0         878.5         896.2   

Divested Business(2)

     4.4         16.8         32.9         56.1   
                                   

Total North America Revenue

     305.6         310.8         911.4         952.3   
                                   

International:

           

Risk Management Solutions

     70.9         66.1         209.6         187.8   

Sales & Marketing Solutions

     23.0         21.2         71.4         58.7   

Internet Solutions

     0.9         0.9         2.5         2.6   
                                   

International Core Revenue

     94.8         88.2         283.5         249.1   

Divested Business(2)

     —           —           —           21.9   
                                   

Total International Revenue

     94.8         88.2         283.5         271.0   
                                   

Consolidated Total:

           

Risk Management Solutions

     254.9         248.3         751.5         739.2   

Sales & Marketing Solutions

     111.9         105.9         324.4         316.8   

Internet Solutions

     29.2         28.0         86.1         89.3   
                                   

Core Revenue

     396.0         382.2         1,162.0         1,145.3   

Divested Businesses(2)

     4.4         16.8         32.9         78.0   
                                   

Consolidated Total Revenue

   $ 400.4       $ 399.0       $ 1,194.9       $ 1,223.3   
                                   

 

(2) On May 29, 2009, we completed the sale of substantially all the assets and liabilities of the domestic portion of our Italian operations. For the nine months ended September 30, 2009, the revenue related to this divested business was $18.7 million for Risk Management Solutions and $3.2 million for Sales & Marketing Solutions.

On July 30, 2010, we completed the sale of substantially all of the assets and liabilities of our North American Self Awareness Solution business. The revenue related to this divested business for the three month and nine month periods ended September 30, 2010 was $4.3 million and $32.0 million for Risk Management Solutions, respectively, and $0.1 million and $0.9 million, for Internet Solutions respectively. For the three month and nine month periods ended September 30, 2009, the revenue related to this divested business was $16.5 million and $55.7 million for Risk Management Solutions, respectively, and $0.3 million and $0.4 million for Internet Solutions, respectively.

 

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(Tabular dollar amounts in millions, except per share data)

 

 

The sale of these businesses has been classified as “Divested Businesses.” Our divested businesses contributed 1% and 3% of our total revenue for the three month and nine month periods ended September 30, 2010, respectively. During the three month and nine month periods ended September 30, 2009, our divested businesses contributed 4% and 6% of our total revenue, respectively. The following table represents divested revenue by solution set:

 

     For the Three Months Ended
September 30,
     For the Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2010      2009      2010      2009  

Divested Businesses:

           

Risk Management Solutions

   $ 4.3       $ 16.5       $ 32.0       $ 74.4   

Sales & Marketing Solutions

     —           —           —           3.2   

Internet Solutions

     0.1         0.3         0.9         0.4   
                                   

Total Divested Revenue

   $ 4.4       $ 16.8       $ 32.9       $ 78.0   
                                   

 

     At September 30,
2010
     At December 31,
2009
 

Assets:

     

North America

   $ 703.7       $ 815.0   

International

     770.6         672.7   
                 

Total Divisions

     1,474.3         1,487.7   

Corporate and Other (primarily taxes)

     253.0         261.7   
                 

Consolidated Total

   $ 1,727.3       $ 1,749.4   
                 

Goodwill(3):

     

North America

   $ 265.8       $ 266.1   

International

     314.1         174.7   
                 

Consolidated Total

   $ 579.9       $ 440.8   
                 

 

(3) The increase in goodwill from $440.8 million at December 31, 2009 to $579.9 million at September 30, 2010 was primarily attributable to the goodwill associated with the acquisition of D&B Australia partially offset by the negative impact of foreign currency translation. See Note 11 to our unaudited consolidated financial statements included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

 

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(Tabular dollar amounts in millions, except per share data)

 

 

Note 11 — Acquisitions

Dun & Bradstreet Australia Holdings Limited

On August 31, 2010, we acquired a 100% equity interest in D&B Australia for a net cash outlay of $204.5 million, subject to working capital adjustments, primarily with cash on hand internationally. Related to this acquisition, we entered into a hedge to protect the translation of the Australian Dollar-denominated purchase price into U.S. Dollars and realized a net derivative gain of $3.4 million. D&B Australia was a member of the D&B Worldwide Network® and is the leading credit and information service provider in Australia and New Zealand.

The acquisition of D&B Australia represents a strong fit with our international strategy and allows us to participate directly in a geographic region that has increasing importance for our global customers. D&B Australia is a leader in commercial risk and receivables management and owns and operates an emerging high growth consumer credit service. Through these, D&B Australia is able to efficiently collect high quality data on most businesses within Australia and New Zealand. The results of D&B Australia have been included in our consolidated financial statements since the date of acquisition.

The acquisition was valued at $207.9 million. Transaction costs of $3.2 million were included in operating expenses in the consolidated statement of operations. The acquisition was accounted for as a purchase transaction, and accordingly, the assets and liabilities of the acquired entity were recorded at their estimated fair values at the date of acquisition. The table below reflects the purchase price related to the acquisition and the resulting preliminary purchase price allocations:

 

     Amortization Life (years)      Acquisition  

Current Assets

      $ 20.3   

Intangible Assets:

     

Goodwill

        151.4   

Customer Relationships

     10 - 14         27.2   

Database

     6         15.4   

Technology

     7.5         10.5   

Reacquired Rights

     12         11.5   

Trade Name

     Indefinite         0.8   

Other

        12.0   
           

Total Assets Acquired

        249.1   
           

Current Liabilities

        (21.9

Noncurrent Liabilities

        (19.3
           

Total Liabilities Assumed

        (41.2
           

Total Purchase Price

      $ 207.9   
           

The goodwill was assigned to our Australia/New Zealand reporting unit, which is a part of our International segment. The primary item that generated the goodwill is the value of revenue growth from D&B Australia’s future customers and future technology development. The intangible assets, with useful lives from 6 to 14 years, are being amortized over a weighted-average useful life of 9.5 years. The intangibles have been recorded as “Trademarks, Patents and Other” within Other Non-Current Assets in our consolidated balance sheet since the date of acquisition. The impact the acquisition would have had on our results had the acquisition occurred at the beginning of 2010 is not material, and, as such, pro forma financial results have not been presented.

 

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(Tabular dollar amounts in millions, except per share data)

 

 

ICC Holdings

During the third quarter of 2009, we acquired substantially all of the assets of Bisnode’s UK operations and a 100% equity interest in Bisnode’s Irish operations (“ICC”), with cash on hand. ICC is a large provider of risk and business information in the United Kingdom and Ireland markets. We believe that the acquisition of ICC will help drive significant operational efficiencies and improve the customer value proposition for our Risk Management Solutions business. The results of ICC have been included in our consolidated financial statements since the date of acquisition.

The transaction was valued at $17.2 million, including a working capital adjustment of $0.2 million. Transaction costs of $1.0 million were included in operating expenses in the consolidated statement of operations. The acquisition was accounted for as a purchase transaction, and accordingly, the assets and liabilities of the acquired entity were recorded at their estimated fair value at the date of acquisition. The table below reflects the purchase price related to the acquisition and the resulting purchase price allocations:

 

     Amortization Life (years)      Acquisition  

Current Assets

      $ 8.2   

Intangible Assets:

     

Customer Relationships

     11         3.9   

Technology

     5         4.0   

Trademark

     10         0.9   

Database

     5         4.0   

Other

        0.6   
           

Total Assets Acquired

        21.6   
           

Current Liabilities

        (4.3

Noncurrent Liabilities

        (0.1
           

Total Liabilities Assumed

        (4.4
           

Total Purchase Price

      $ 17.2   
           

No goodwill was recognized in this transaction. The intangible assets, with useful lives from 5 to 11 years, are being amortized over a weighted average useful life of 7.2 years and have been recorded as “Trademark, Patents and Other” within Other Non-Current Assets in our consolidated balance sheet since the date of acquisition. The impact the acquisition would have had on our results had the acquisition occurred at the beginning of 2009 is not material, and, as such, pro forma financial results have not been presented.

Roadway International Limited

During the third quarter of 2009, we acquired a 90% equity interest in RoadWay International Limited (“RoadWay”), with cash on hand. RoadWay is the leading provider of integrated services of direct marketing in China. As part of the transaction, D&B Huaxia, our existing joint venture company with Huaxia in China, transferred its Sales & Marketing Solutions business to RoadWay. As a result, RoadWay will become our specialized Sales & Marketing Solutions arm in China, catering to customer needs in business and consumer database marketing. The results of RoadWay have been included in our consolidated financial statements since the date of acquisition.

 

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(Tabular dollar amounts in millions, except per share data)

 

 

The transaction was valued at $28.3 million. Transaction costs of $0.7 million were included in operating expenses in the consolidated statement of operations. The acquisition was accounted for as a purchase transaction, and accordingly, the assets and liabilities of the acquired entity were recorded at their estimated fair value at the date of acquisition. Based on the share purchase and share subscription agreement, the noncontrolling interest is estimated based on the fair value of the net assets acquired. The table below reflects the purchase price related to the acquisition and the resulting purchase price allocations:

 

     Amortization Life (years)      Acquisition  

Current Assets

      $ 5.3   

Intangible Assets:

     

Goodwill

        21.6   

Customer Relationships

     5.5         1.1   

Technology

     6         2.1   

Trademark

     7.5         0.6   

Database

     6.5         1.3   

Other

        0.2   
           

Total Assets Acquired

        32.2   
           

Current Liabilities

        (1.9

Noncurrent Liabilities

        (1.3
           

Total Liabilities Assumed

        (3.2
           

Noncontrolling Interest

        (0.7
           

Total Purchase Price

      $ 28.3   
           

The goodwill was assigned to our Greater China reporting unit. The primary item that generated the goodwill is the value of revenue growth and synergies between the acquired entity and our Sales & Marketing Solutions, catering to customers needs in business and consumer database marketing. The intangible assets, with useful lives from 1 to 7.5 years, are being amortized over a weighted-average useful life of 6.2 years and have been recorded as “Trademarks, Patents and Other” within Other Non-Current Assets in our consolidated balance sheet since the date of acquisition. The impact the acquisition would have had on our results had the acquisition occurred at the beginning of 2009 is not material, and, as such, pro forma financial results have not been presented.

Quality Education Data

During the first quarter of 2009, we acquired substantially all of the assets and assumed certain liabilities related to QED for $29.0 million with cash on hand. QED is a provider of educational data and services located in Denver, Colorado. QED is a natural fit with our Sales & Marketing Solutions as both provide education marketers with high quality data and services. The results of QED have been included in our consolidated financial statements since the date of acquisition.

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)-continued

(Tabular dollar amounts in millions, except per share data)

 

 

The transaction was valued at $29.0 million. Transaction costs of $1.0 million were included in operating expenses in the consolidated statement of operations. The acquisition was accounted for as a purchase transaction, and accordingly, the assets and liabilities of the acquired entity were recorded at their estimated fair value at the date of acquisition. The table below reflects the purchase price related to the acquisition and the resulting purchase price allocations:

 

     Amortization Life (years)      Acquisition  

Current Assets

      $ 1.7   

Intangible Assets:

     

Goodwill

        14.6   

Customer Relationships

     12         8.0   

Technology

     8         2.4   

Trade Name

     16.5         0.2   

Database

     7         2.5   
           

Total Assets Acquired

        29.4   
           

Total Liabilities Assumed

        (0.4
           

Total Purchase Price

      $ 29.0   
           

The goodwill was assigned to our North America reporting unit. The primary item that generated the goodwill is the value of revenue growth and synergies between the acquired entity and our Sales and Marketing Solutions as both provide education marketers with high quality data and services. The intangible assets, with useful lives from 7 to 16.5 years, are being amortized over a weighted-average useful life of 10.4 years and are recorded as “Trademarks, Patents and Other” within Other Non-Current Assets in our consolidated balance sheet since the date of acquisition. The impact the acquisition would have had on our results had the acquisition occurred at the beginning of 2009 is not material, and, as such, pro forma financial results have not been presented.

During the second quarter of 2010, we wrote-off $6.8 million of intangible assets related to database, technology, tradename and customer relationships as well as we revised the useful lives of customer relationships from twelve years to eight years as a result of an examination of such assets initiated in connection with a recent settlement with the FTC. See Note 7 to our unaudited consolidated financial statements included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for a description on the FTC matter.

Treatment of Goodwill

The acquisition of QED was an asset acquisition and, as a result, the associated goodwill is deductible for tax purposes. The acquisition of D&B Australia was a stock acquisition and, as a result, the associated goodwill is not deductible for tax purposes. The goodwill associated with RoadWay is not deductible for tax purposes.

Note 12 — Financial Instruments

We employ established policies and procedures to manage our exposure to changes in interest rates and foreign currencies. We use foreign exchange forward contracts to hedge short-term foreign currency denominated loans, investments and certain third-party and intercompany transactions. From time-to-time, we use foreign exchange option contracts to hedge investments and reduce our International earnings exposure to adverse changes in foreign exchange rates. In addition, from time-to-time, we use interest rate derivatives to hedge a portion of the interest rate exposure on our outstanding debt or in anticipation of future debt issuance.

We do not use derivative financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes. If a hedging instrument ceases to qualify as a hedge, any subsequent gains and losses are recognized currently in income. Collateral is generally not required for these types of instruments.

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)-continued

(Tabular dollar amounts in millions, except per share data)

 

 

By their nature, all such instruments involve risk, including the credit risk of non-performance by counterparties. However, at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, in our opinion, there was no significant risk of loss in the event of non-performance of the counterparties to these financial instruments. We control our exposure to credit risk through monitoring procedures.

Our trade receivables do not represent a significant concentration of credit risk at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, because we sell to a large number of customers in different geographical locations.

We recognize all derivative instruments as either assets or liabilities at fair value in the statement of financial position. We recognize all derivatives as either assets or liabilities on the balance sheet and measure those instruments at fair value. In accordance with authoritative guidance, we designate our current outstanding interest rate swaps as cash flow hedges.

For derivative instruments that are designated and qualify as a cash flow hedge, the effective portion of the gain or loss on the derivative is reported as a component of other comprehensive income and reclassified to earnings in the same period or periods during which the hedged transaction affects earnings. Gains and losses on the derivative representing either hedge ineffectiveness or hedge components excluded from the assessment of effectiveness are recognized in current earnings.

Our objective in managing exposure to interest rates is to limit the impact of interest rate changes on our earnings, cash flows and financial position, and to lower overall borrowing costs. To manage our exposure and limit volatility, we may use fixed-rate debt, floating-rate debt and/or interest rate swaps.

In January 2009 and December 2008, we entered into interest rate swap agreements with an aggregate notional amounts of $25 million and $75 million, respectively, and designated these swaps as cash flow hedges against variability in cash flows related to our bank revolving credit facility. These transactions were accounted for as cash flow hedges and, as such, changes in fair value of the hedges are recorded in AOCI. At September 30, 2010, the balance of net derivative losses associated with these swaps included in AOCI was approximately $1.7 million.

Fair Values of Derivative Instruments in the Consolidated Balance Sheet at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009:

 

    

Asset Derivatives

    

Liability Derivatives

 
    

September 30, 2010

    

December 31, 2009

    

September 30, 2010

    

December 31, 2009

 
    

Balance Sheet
Location

   Fair Value     

Balance Sheet
Location

   Fair Value     

Balance Sheet
Location

   Fair Value     

Balance Sheet
Location

   Fair Value  

Derivatives designated as hedging instruments

                       

Interest rate contracts

   Other Current Assets    $ —         Other Current Assets    $ —         Other Accrued & Current Liabilities    $ 1.8       Other Accrued & Current Liabilities    $ 0.8   
                                               

Total derivatives designated as hedging instruments

      $ —            $ —            $ 1.8          $ 0.8   
                                               

Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments

                       

Foreign exchange forward contracts

   Other Current Assets    $ 0.3       Other Current Assets    $ 0.6       Other Accrued & Current Liabilities    $ 1.0       Other Accrued & Current Liabilities    $ 0.2   

Foreign exchange option contracts

   Other Current Assets      0.1       Other Current Assets      —         Other Accrued & Current Liabilities      —         Other Accrued & Current Liabilities      —     
                                               

Total derivatives not designated as hedging instruments

      $ 0.4          $ 0.6          $ 1.0          $ 0.2   
                                               

Total Derivatives

      $ 0.4          $ 0.6          $ 2.8          $ 1.0   
                                               

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)-continued

(Tabular dollar amounts in millions, except per share data)

 

 

The Effect of Derivative Instruments on the Consolidated Statement of Operations for the Three Month and Nine Month Periods Ended September 30, 2010 and 2009:

 

Derivatives
in Cash

Flow

Hedging
Relationships

   Amount of Gain or (Loss)
Recognized in OCI on Derivative

(Effective Portion)
   

Location of
Gain or
(Loss)
Reclassified
from
Accumulated
OCI Into
Income
(Effective
Portion)

   Amount of Gain or (Loss)
Reclassified from Accumulated
OCI Into Income (Effective
Portion)
   

Location of
Gain or
(Loss)
Recognized in
Income on
Derivative
(Ineffective
Portion and
Amount
Excluded
from
Effectiveness
Testing)

   Amount of Gain or (Loss)
Recognized in Income on
Derivative (Ineffective Portion
and Amount Excluded from
Effectiveness Testing)
 
     For the Three
Months Ended
September 30,
    For the Nine
Months Ended
September 30,
         For the Three
Months Ended
September 30,
    For the Nine
Months Ended
September 30,
         For the Three
Months Ended
September 30,
     For the Nine
Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2010     2009     2010     2009          2010     2009     2010     2009          2010      2009      2010      2009  
Interest rate contracts    $ (0.1   $ (0.7   $ (0.9   $ (0.2  

Non-Operating

Income

(Expenses) - Net

   $ (0.4   $ (0.4   $ (1.1   $ (1.0  

Non-Operating

Income

(Expenses) - Net

   $ —         $ —         $ —         $ —     

Our forward exchange contracts and foreign exchange options are not designated as hedging instruments under authoritative guidance.

Our objective in managing exposure to foreign currency fluctuations is to reduce the volatility caused by foreign exchange rate changes on the earnings, cash flows and financial position of our International operations. We follow a policy of hedging balance sheet positions denominated in currencies other than the functional currency applicable to each of our various subsidiaries. In addition, we are subject to foreign exchange risk associated with our International earnings and investments. We use short-term, foreign exchange forward and option contracts to implement our hedging strategies. Typically, these contracts have maturities of twelve months or less. The gains and losses on the forward contracts associated with the balance sheet positions hedge are recorded in “Other Income (Expense)—Net” in our consolidated financial statements and are essentially offset by the gains and losses on the underlying foreign currency transactions.

As in prior years, we have hedged substantially all balance sheet positions denominated in a currency other than the functional currency applicable to each of our various subsidiaries with short-term forward foreign exchange contracts. In addition, from time-to-time, we use foreign exchange option contracts to hedge certain foreign earnings and foreign exchange forward contracts to hedge certain net investment positions. The underlying transactions and the corresponding forward exchange and option contracts are marked-to-market at the end of each quarter and are reflected within our consolidated financial statements.

As of September 30, 2010 and 2009, the notional amount of our foreign exchange contracts were $326.9 million and $248.6 million, respectively.

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)-continued

(Tabular dollar amounts in millions, except per share data)

 

 

The Effect of Derivative Instruments on the Consolidated Statement of Operations for the Three Month and Nine Month Periods Ended September 30, 2010 and 2009:

 

Location of Gain or (Loss) Recognized

in Income on Derivative

   Amount of Gain or (Loss)
Recognized in Income On
Derivative
    Amount of Gain or (Loss)
Recognized in Income On
Derivative
 
     For the Three Months Ended
September 30,
    For the Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2010      2009     2010      2009  

Non-Operating Income (Expenses) - Net

   $ 8.4       $ (2.1   $ 0.6       $ 9.9   

Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Our financial assets and liabilities that are reflected in the consolidated financial statements include derivative financial instruments. We use short-term foreign exchange forward contracts to hedge short-term foreign currency-denominated loans, investments and certain third-party and intercompany transactions and, from time-to-time, we have used foreign exchange option contracts to reduce our International earnings exposure to adverse changes in foreign currency exchange rates. Fair value for derivative financial instruments is determined utilizing a market approach.

We have an established and well-documented process for determining fair values. Fair value is based upon quoted market prices, where available. If listed prices or quotes are not available, we use quotes from independent pricing vendors based on recent trading activity and other relevant information including market interest rate curves and referenced credit spreads.

In addition to utilizing external valuations, we conduct our own internal assessment of the reasonableness of the external valuations by utilizing a variety of valuation techniques including Black-Scholes option pricing and discounted cash flow models that are consistently applied. Inputs to these models include observable market data such as yield curves, and foreign exchange rates where applicable. Our assessments are designed to identify prices that appear stale, those that have changed significantly from prior valuations and other anomalies that may indicate that a price may not be accurate. We also follow established routines for reviewing and reconfirming valuations with the valuation provider, if deemed appropriate. In addition, the valuation provider has an established challenge process in place for all valuations, which facilitates identification and resolution of potentially erroneous prices. Valuation adjustments may be made to ensure that financial instruments are recorded at fair value. These adjustments include amounts to reflect counterparty credit quality, and our own creditworthiness and constraints on liquidity. For non-active markets that do not have observable pricing or sufficient trading volumes, or for positions that are subject to transfer restrictions, valuations are adjusted to reflect illiquidity and/or non-transferability. Such adjustments are generally based on available market evidence. In the absence of such evidence, management’s best estimate will be used.

The methods described above may produce a fair value calculation that may not be indicative of net realizable value or reflective of future fair values. Furthermore, while we believe our valuation methods are appropriate and consistent with other market participants, the use of different methodologies or assumptions to determine the fair value of certain financial instruments could result in a different estimate of fair value at the reporting date.

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)-continued

(Tabular dollar amounts in millions, except per share data)

 

 

The following table presents information about our assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, and indicates the fair value hierarchy of the valuation techniques utilized by us to determine such fair value. Level inputs, as defined by authoritative guidance, are as follows:

 

Level Input:

  

Input Definition:

Level I    Observable inputs utilizing quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets at the measurement date.
Level II    Inputs other than quoted prices included in Level I that are either directly or indirectly observable for the asset or liability through corroboration with market data at the measurement date.
Level III    Unobservable inputs for the asset or liability in which little or no market data exists therefore requiring management’s best estimate of what market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability at the measurement date.

In certain cases, the inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, the level in the fair value hierarchy within which the fair value measurement in its entirety falls has been determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. Our assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment, and considers factors specific to the asset or liability.

The following table summarizes fair value measurements by level at September 30, 2010 for assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis:

 

     Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets for
Identical Assets
(Level I)
     Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level II)
     Significant
Unobservable
Inputs

(Level III)
     Balance at
September 30,
2010
 

Assets:

           

Cash Equivalents(1)

   $ 33.9       $ —         $ —         $ 33.9   

Other Current Assets:

           

Foreign Exchange Forwards(2)

   $ —         $ 0.3       $ —         $ 0.3   

Foreign Exchange Option Contracts(2)

   $ —         $ 0.1       $ —         $ 0.1   

Liabilities:

           

Other Accrued and Current Liabilities:

           

Foreign Exchange Forwards(2)

   $ —         $ 1.0       $ —         $ 1.0   

Swap Arrangement(3)

   $ —         $ 1.8       $ —         $ 1.8   

 

(1) Cash equivalents represent fair value as it consists of highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less.
(2) Primarily represents foreign currency forward and option contracts. Fair value is determined utilizing a market approach and considers a factor for nonperformance in the valuation.
(3) Primarily represents our interest rate swap agreements. Fair value is determined utilizing a market approach and considers a factor for nonperformance in the valuation.

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)-continued

(Tabular dollar amounts in millions, except per share data)

 

 

The following table summarizes fair value measurements by level at December 31, 2009 for assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis:

 

     Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets for
Identical Assets
(Level I)
     Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level II)
     Significant
Unobservable
Inputs

(Level III)
     Balance at
December 31,
2009
 

Assets:

           

Cash Equivalents(1)

   $ 106.7       $ —         $ —         $ 106.7   

Other Current Assets:

           

Foreign Exchange Forwards(2)

   $ —         $ 0.6       $ —         $ 0.6   

Liabilities:

           

Other Accrued and Current Liabilities:

           

Foreign Exchange Forwards(2)

   $ —         $ 0.2       $ —         $ 0.2   

Swap Arrangement(3)

   $ —         $ 0.8       $ —         $ 0.8   

 

(1) Cash equivalents represent fair value as it consists of highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less.
(2) Primarily represents foreign currency forward contracts. Fair value is determined utilizing a market approach and considers a factor for nonperformance in the valuation.
(3) Primarily represents our interest rate swap agreements. Fair value is determined utilizing a market approach and considers a factor for nonperformance in the valuation.

Items Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis

In addition to assets and liabilities that are recorded at fair value on a recurring basis, we are required to record assets and liabilities at fair value on a nonrecurring basis as required by GAAP. Generally, assets are recorded at fair value on a nonrecurring basis as a result of impairment charges. During the year ended December 31, 2009, we recorded an impairment charge of $3.0 million related to certain intangible assets related to the Visible Path acquisition. We determined that the new cost basis of certain intangible assets related to the Visible Path acquisition is zero based on Level III inputs. The impairment charge is included in Selling and Administrative Expenses in our North America segment.

During the second quarter of 2010, we recorded an impairment charge of $6.8 million of intangible assets related to database, technology, tradename and customer relationships related to the QED acquisition as a result of an examination of such assets initiated in connection with a recent settlement with the FTC (See Note 7 and 11 to our unaudited consolidated financial statements included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for further discussion). We determined that the new cost basis of these intangible assets based on internally developed cash flow projections (Level III inputs) to measure fair value, as market data of these assets are not readily available. The impairment charge is included in Selling and Administrative Expenses in our North America segment.

During the third quarter of 2010, we recorded a $13.6 million impairment charge related to software and intangible assets of the Purisma acquisition, resulting from our decision to restructure this business. After analyzing various options, we decided to focus mostly on providing maintenance and customer support to our existing customer base. We determined the new cost basis of these assets is zero based on internally developed cash flow projections (Level III inputs) to measure fair value, as market data of these assets are not readily available. The impairment charge is included in Operating Expenses in our North America segment.

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)-continued

(Tabular dollar amounts in millions, except per share data)

 

 

At September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, our financial instruments included cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, other receivables, accounts payable, short-term and long-term borrowings and foreign exchange forward and option contracts.

At September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, the fair value of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, other receivables and accounts payable approximated carrying value due to the short-term nature of these instruments. The estimated fair values of other financial instruments subject to fair value disclosures, determined based on valuation models using discounted cash flow methodologies with market data inputs from globally recognized data providers and third-party quotes from major financial institutions are as follows:

 

     Balance at  
     September 30, 2010      December 31, 2009  
     Carrying
Amount
(Asset)
Liability
     Fair Value
(Asset)
Liability
     Carrying
Amount
(Asset)
Liability
     Fair Value
(Asset)
Liability
 

Short-term Debt

   $ 299.9       $ 306.3       $ —         $ —     
                                   

Long-term Debt

   $ 400.0       $ 441.1       $ 699.8       $ 747.7   
                                   

Credit Facilities

   $ 252.0       $ 244.7       $ 259.4       $ 254.8   
                                   

Note 13 — Divestitures

On July 30, 2010, we sold substantially all of the assets and liabilities of our North American Self Awareness Solution business. The sale is part of a strategic relationship whereby the buyer will operate the acquired business under the name of Dun & Bradstreet Credibility Corp. and distribute certain D&B-branded products primarily to the micro customer segment. Under the terms of the agreement, we received $10 million in cash at closing and we are entitled to annual royalty payments from the buyer for data and brand licensing.

We recorded a pre-tax gain of $23.1 million from the sale in Other Income (Expense)—Net in the consolidated statement of operations for each of the three month and nine month periods ended September 30, 2010.

Our North American Self Awareness Solutions business provides credit on self products for small and micro businesses. This transaction provided us with the ability to better focus our resources on our core customer segments and maximize shareholder value.

On May 29, 2009, we completed the sale of substantially all of the assets and liabilities of the domestic portion of our Italian operations to CRIF, S.p.A. (“CRIF”) for $12.2 million (including a working capital adjustment of $1.2 million), which was a part of our International segment. We also entered into a ten year commercial arrangement to provide CRIF with global data for its Italian customers. This arrangement had aggregate future cash payments of approximately $130 million. In addition, this transaction will allow us to improve the quality of the data we provide to our global customers seeking information on Italian customers.

We recorded a pre-tax gain of $6.5 million from the sale in Other Income (Expense)—Net in the consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2009. During the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2010, we recorded no adjustment and an adjustment of $3.0 million to our divested net assets, respectively. As of September 30, 2010, we have received all cash payments. Our domestic Italian operations generated approximately $48 million in revenue and approximately $1 million in operating income in 2008.

 

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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)-continued

(Tabular dollar amounts in millions, except per share data)

 

 

Note 14 — Comprehensive Income (Loss)

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2010     2009  

Net Income

   $ 56.8      $ 54.7   

Change in Cumulative Translation Adjustment

     21.3        5.4   

Pension Adjustments, net of deferred tax expense of $11.3 million and $7.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively(1)

     18.9        9.1   

Derivative Financial Instruments, no tax impact

     —          (0.4

Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest

     (0.6     (0.8
                

Comprehensive Income Attributable to D&B

   $ 96.4      $ 68.0   
                

 

(1) The increase in pension adjustments from September 30, 2009 to September 30, 2010 of $9.8 million primarily relates to the adoption of our plan amendment for our postretirement benefit plan. See Note 9 to our unaudited consolidated financial statements included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for further discussion. The increase is partially offset by an increase in the prior year pension plan funded status as result of the annual plan valuation.

Comprehensive income for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 is displayed in the Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity (Deficit).

Note 15 — Subsequent Events

Dividend Declaration

In October 2010, our Board of Directors approved the declaration of a dividend of $0.35 per share for the fourth quarter of 2010. This cash dividend will be payable on December 13, 2010 to shareholders of record at the close of business on November 29, 2010.

 

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Item 1a. Risk Factors

On May 10, 2010, we held our Investor Day conference during which we discussed with investors and analysts certain of our strategic initiatives and financial and operational expectations for the future.

We may be unable to achieve the financial and operational expectations that we have established for the 2012 timeframe, which could negatively impact our stock price.

We have established financial and operational expectations for the 2012 timeframe that we believe would be achieved based upon our business strategy for the next several years. These financial and operational expectations can only be achieved if the assumptions underlying our business strategy are fully realized, including the achievement of our Strategic Technology Initiative. In addition, we cannot control some of these assumptions (e.g., market growth rates, macroeconomic conditions and customer preferences). As part of our ongoing planning process we will review these assumptions and we intend to provide updates on these expectations from time-to-time as appropriate.

 

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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Business Overview

The Dun & Bradstreet Corporation (“D&B” or “we” or “our”) is the world’s leading source of commercial information and insight on businesses, enabling customers to Decide with Confidence ® for over 169 years. Our global commercial database contains more than 177 million business records. The database is enhanced by our proprietary DUNSRight ® Quality Process, which provides our customers with quality business information. This quality information is the foundation of our global solutions that customers rely on to make critical business decisions.

We provide solution sets that meet a diverse set of customer needs globally. Customers use our Risk Management Solutions ™ to mitigate credit and supplier risk, increase cash flow and drive increased profitability; our Sales & Marketing Solutions ™ to increase revenue from new and existing customers; and our D&B Internet Solutions® to convert prospects into clients faster by enabling business professionals to research companies, executives and industries, over the web.

How We Manage Our Business

For internal management purposes, we refer to “core revenue,” which we calculate as total operating revenue less the revenue of divested businesses. Core revenue is used to manage and evaluate the performance of our segments and to allocate resources because this measure provides an indication of the underlying changes in revenue in a single performance measure. Core revenue does not include reported revenue of divested businesses since they are not included in future revenue.

On July 30, 2010, we completed the sale of substantially all of the assets and liabilities of our North American Self Awareness Solution business. This business has been classified as a “Divested Business.” This divested business contributed 1% and 4% of our North America total revenue for the three month and nine month periods ended September 30, 2010, respectively, and 5% and 6% of our North America total revenue for the three month and nine month periods ended September 30, 2009, respectively. See Note 10 and Note 13 to our unaudited consolidated financial statements included in Item 1. of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for further detail.

On May 29, 2009, we completed the sale of substantially all the assets and liabilities of the domestic portion of our Italian operations. This business has been classified as a “Divested Business.” This divested business contributed 8% of our International total revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2009. See Note 10 and Note 13 to our unaudited consolidated financial statements included in Item 1. of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for further detail.

We also isolate the effects of changes in foreign exchange rates on our revenue growth because we believe it is useful for investors to be able to compare revenue from one period to another, both with and without the effects of foreign exchange. The change in our operating performance attributable to foreign currency rates is determined by converting both our prior and current periods by a constant rate. As a result, we monitor our core revenue growth both after and before the effects of foreign exchange. Core revenue growth excluding the effects of foreign exchange is referred to as “revenue growth before the effects of foreign exchange.”

From time-to-time we have analyzed and we may continue to further analyze core revenue growth before the effects of foreign exchange among two components, “organic core revenue growth” and “core revenue growth from acquisitions.” We analyze “organic core revenue growth” and “core revenue growth from acquisitions” because management believes this information provides an important insight into the underlying health of our business. Core revenue includes the revenue from acquired businesses from the date of acquisition.

We evaluate the performance of our business segments based on segment revenue growth before the effects of foreign exchange, and segment operating income growth before certain types of gains and charges that we consider do not reflect our underlying business performance. Specifically, for management reporting purposes, we evaluate business segment performance “before non-core gains and charges” because such charges are not a component of our ongoing income or expenses and/or may have a disproportionate positive or negative impact on the results of our ongoing underlying business operations. A recurring component of non-core gains and charges are our restructuring charges, which result from a foundational element of our growth strategy that we refer to as Financial Flexibility. Through Financial Flexibility, management identifies opportunities to improve the performance of the business in terms of reallocating our spending from low-growth or low-value activities to activities that will create greater value for shareholders through enhanced revenue growth, improved profitability and/or quality improvements. Management is committed through this process to examining our spending, and optimizing between variable and fixed costs to ensure flexibility in changes to our operating expense base as we make strategic choices. This enables us to

 

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continually and systematically identify improvement opportunities in terms of quality, cost and customer experience. Such charges are variable from period-to-period based upon actions identified and taken during each period. Management reviews operating results before such non-core gains and charges on a monthly basis and establishes internal budgets and forecasts based upon such measures. Management further establishes annual and long-term compensation such as salaries, target cash bonuses and target equity compensation amounts based on performance before non-core gains and charges and a significant percentage weight is placed upon performance before non-core gains and charges in determining whether performance objectives have been achieved. Management believes that by eliminating non-core gains and charges from such financial measures, and by being overt to shareholders about the results of our operations excluding such charges, business leaders are provided incentives to recommend and execute actions that are in the best long-term interests of our shareholders, rather than being influenced by the potential impact a charge in a particular period could have on their compensation. Additionally, transition costs (period costs such as consulting fees, costs of temporary employees, relocation costs and stay bonuses incurred to implement the Financial Flexibility component of our strategy) are reported as “Corporate and Other” expenses and are not allocated to our business segments. See Note 10 to our unaudited consolidated financial statements included in Item 1. of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for financial information regarding our segments.

Similarly, when we evaluate the performance of our business as a whole, we focus on results (such as operating income, operating income growth, operating margin, net income, tax rate and diluted earnings per share) before non-core gains and charges because such non-core gains and charges are not a component of our ongoing income or expenses and/or may have a disproportionate positive or negative impact on the results of our ongoing underlying business operations and may drive behavior that does not ultimately maximize shareholder value. It may be concluded from our presentation of non-core gains and charges that the items that result in non-core gains and charges may occur in the future.

We monitor free cash flow as a measure of our business. We define free cash flow as net cash provided by operating activities minus capital expenditures and additions to computer software and other intangibles. Free cash flow measures our available cash flow for potential debt repayment, acquisitions, stock repurchases, dividend payments and additions to cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments. We believe free cash flow to be relevant and useful to our investors as this measure is used by our management in evaluating the funding available after supporting our ongoing business operations and our portfolio of product investments.

Free cash flow should not be considered as a substitute measure for, or superior to, net cash flows provided by operating activities, investing activities or financing activities. Therefore, we believe it is important to view free cash flow as a complement to our consolidated statements of cash flows.

In addition, we evaluate our North America Risk Management Solutions based on two metrics: (1) “subscription,” and “non-subscription,” and (2) “DNBi®” and “non-DNBi.” We define “subscription” as contracts that allow customers’ unlimited use. In these instances, we recognize revenue ratably over the term of the contract, which is generally one year and “non-subscription” as all other revenue streams. We define “DNBi” as our interactive, customizable online application that offers our customers real time access to our most complete and up-to-date global DUNSRight information, comprehensive monitoring and portfolio analysis and “non-DNBi” as all other revenue streams. Management believes these measures provide further insight into our performance and growth of our North America Risk Management Solutions revenue.

The adjustments discussed herein to our results as determined under generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“GAAP”) are among the primary indicators management uses as a basis for our planning and forecasting of future periods, to allocate resources, to evaluate business performance and, as noted above, for compensation purposes. However, these financial measures (e.g., results before non-core gains and charges and free cash flow) are not prepared in accordance with GAAP, and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for total revenue, operating income, operating income growth, operating margin, net income, tax rate, diluted earnings per share, or net cash provided by operating activities, investing activities and financing activities prepared in accordance with GAAP. In addition, it should be noted that because not all companies calculate these financial measures similarly, or at all, the presentation of these financial measures is not likely to be comparable to measures of other companies.

See “Results of Operations” below for a discussion of our results reported on a GAAP basis.

 

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Overview

We manage and report our operations under the following two segments:

 

   

North America (which consists of the United States and Canada); and

 

   

International (which consists of our operations in Europe, Asia Pacific and Latin America).

The financial statements of our subsidiaries outside North America reflect a fiscal quarter ended August 31 to facilitate the timely reporting of our unaudited consolidated financial results and unaudited consolidated financial position.

The following table presents the contribution by segment to core revenue and total revenue:

 

    For the Three Months Ended
September 30,
    For the Nine Months  Ended
September 30,
 
    2010     2009     2010     2009  

Core Revenue:

       

North America

    76     77     76     78

International

    24     23     24     22

Total Revenue:

       

North America

    76     78     76     78

International

    24     22     24     22

The following table presents contributions by customer solution set to core revenue and total revenue:

 

  

    For the Three Months Ended
September 30,
    For the Nine Months  Ended
September 30,
 
    2010     2009     2010     2009  

Core Revenue by Customer Solution Set:

       

Risk Management Solutions

    65     65     65     65

Sales & Marketing Solutions

    28     28     28     27

Internet Solutions

    7     7     7     8

Total Revenue by Customer Solution Set(1):

       

Risk Management Solutions

    64     63     63     61

Sales & Marketing Solutions

    28     26     27     26

Internet Solutions

    7     7     7     7

 

(1) Our divested businesses contributed 1% and 3% of our total revenue for the three month and nine month periods ended September 30, 2010, respectively, and 4% and 6% of our total revenue for the three month and nine month periods ended September 30, 2009, respectively. See Note 10 to our unaudited consolidated financial statements included in Item 1. of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for further detail.

Our customer solution sets are discussed in greater detail in “Item 1. Business” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009.

Within our Risk Management Solutions, we monitor the performance of our “Traditional” products, our “Value-Added” products and our “Supply Management” products. Within our Sales & Marketing Solutions, we monitor the performance of our “Traditional” products and our “Value-Added” products.

 

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Risk Management Solutions

Our Traditional Risk Management Solutions include our DNBi Solution and also consist of reports from our database used primarily for making decisions about new credit applications. Our Traditional Risk Management Solutions constituted the following percentages of total Risk Management Solutions Revenue, Total Revenue and Core Revenue:

 

     For the Three Months Ended
September 30,
    For the Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2010     2009     2010     2009  

Risk Management Solutions Revenue

     74     74     74     74

Total Revenue

     47     46     47     45

Core Revenue

     48     48     48     48

Our Value-Added Risk Management Solutions generally support automated decision-making and portfolio management through the use of scoring and integrated software solutions. Our Value-Added Risk Management Solutions constituted the following percentages of total Risk Management Solutions Revenue, Total Revenue and Core Revenue:

 

    

     For the Three Months Ended
September 30,
    For the Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2010     2009     2010     2009  

Risk Management Solutions Revenue

     19     21     20     21

Total Revenue

     13     13     12     12

Core Revenue

     13     13     13     13

Our Supply Management Solutions can help companies better understand the financial risks of their supply chains. Our Supply Management Solutions constituted the following percentages of total Risk Management Solutions Revenue, Total Revenue and Core Revenue:

 

    

     For the Three Months Ended
September 30,
    For the Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2010     2009     2010     2009  

Risk Management Solutions Revenue

     7     5     6     5

Total Revenue

     4     4     4     4

Core Revenue

     4     4     4     4

Sales & Marketing Solutions

 

Our Traditional Sales & Marketing Solutions generally consist of marketing lists, labels and customized data files used by our customers in their direct mail and marketing activities. Our Traditional Sales & Marketing Solutions constituted the following percentages of total Sales & Marketing Solutions Revenue, Total Revenue and Core Revenue:

 

  

    

     For the Three Months Ended
September 30,
    For the Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2010     2009     2010     2009  

Sales & Marketing Solutions Revenue

     44     47     41     41

Total Revenue

     12     12     11     11

Core Revenue

     12     13     11     11

 

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Our Value-Added Sales & Marketing Solutions generally include decision-making and customer information management solutions. Our Value-Added Sales & Marketing Solutions constituted the following percentages of total Sales & Marketing Solutions Revenue, Total Revenue and Core Revenue:

 

     For the Three Months Ended
September 30,
    For the Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2010     2009     2010     2009  

Sales & Marketing Solutions Revenue

     56     53     59     59

Total Revenue

     16     14     16     15

Core Revenue

     16     15     17     16

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

In preparing our unaudited consolidated financial statements and accounting for the underlying transactions and balances reflected therein, we have applied the critical accounting policies described in “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

See Note 2 to our unaudited consolidated financial statements included in Item 1. of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for disclosure of the impact that recent accounting pronouncements may have on our unaudited consolidated financial statements.

Results of Operations

The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based upon our unaudited consolidated financial statements and should be read in conjunction with the unaudited consolidated financial statements and related notes set forth in Item 1. of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, and our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009, all of which have been prepared in accordance with GAAP.

Consolidated Revenue

The following table presents our core and total revenue by segment:

 

       For the Three Months Ended
September 30,
       For the Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
       2010        2009        2010        2009  
       (Amounts in millions)        (Amounts in millions)  

Revenue:

                   

North America

     $ 301.2         $ 294.0         $ 878.5         $ 896.2   

International

       94.8           88.2           283.5           249.1   
                                           

Core Revenue

       396.0           382.2           1,162.0           1,145.3   

Divested Businesses

       4.4           16.8           32.9           78.0   
                                           

Total Revenue

     $ 400.4         $ 399.0         $ 1,194.9         $ 1,223.3   
                                           

 

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The following table presents our core and total revenue by customer solution set:

 

     For the Three Months Ended
September 30,
     For the Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2010      2009      2010      2009  
     (Amounts in millions)      (Amounts in millions)  

Revenue:

           

Risk Management Solutions

   $ 254.9       $ 248.3       $ 751.5       $ 739.2   

Sales & Marketing Solutions

     111.9         105.9         324.4         316.8   

Internet Solutions

     29.2         28.0         86.1         89.3   
                                   

Core Revenue

     396.0         382.2         1,162.0         1,145.3   

Divested Businesses

     4.4         16.8         32.9         78.0   
                                   

Total Revenue

   $ 400.4       $ 399.0       $ 1,194.9       $ 1,223.3   
                                   

Three Months Ended September 30, 2010 vs. Three Months Ended September 30, 2009

Total revenue increased $1.4 million, or less than 1% (1% increase before the effect of foreign exchange), for the three months ended September 30, 2010 as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2009. The increase in total revenue was driven by an increase in International total revenue of $6.6 million, or 7% (11% increase before the effect of foreign exchange) partially offset by a decrease in North America total revenue of $5.2 million, or 2% (both before and after the effect of foreign exchange). North America total revenue was impacted by the divestiture of our North American Self Awareness Solution business in the third quarter of 2010, which accounted for $4.4 million and $16.8 million in revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

Core revenue, which reflects total revenue less revenue from a divested business, increased $13.8 million, or 4% (both before and after the effect of foreign exchange), for the three months ended September 30, 2010 as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2009. The primary drivers of this change are:

 

   

Increased revenue as a result of a) our majority owned joint venture with RoadWay International Limited (“RoadWay”) in China which we consolidated in the third quarter of 2009; and b) our acquisition of substantially all of the assets of Bisnode’s UK operations and a 100% equity interest in Bisnode’s Irish operations (“ICC”) which we consolidated in the third quarter of 2009, which in the aggregate, contributed one point of growth; and

 

   

A shift in timing of renewals primarily relating to the renewal of a significant contract that had been executed in the fourth quarter of 2009 and renewal of contracts with longer commitment terms;

partially offset by:

 

   

Lower purchases from our customers due to a weak economy and their budgetary pressures.

Customer Solution Sets

On a customer solution set basis, core revenue reflects:

 

   

A $6.6 million, or 3% increase (4% increase before the effect of foreign exchange), in Risk Management Solutions. The increase was driven by an increase in International of $4.8 million, or 7% (11% increase before the effect of foreign exchange), and an increase in revenue in North America of $1.8 million, or 1% (both before and after the effect of foreign exchange);

 

   

A $6.0 million, or 6% increase (both before and after the effect of foreign exchange), in Sales & Marketing Solutions. The increase was driven by an increase in revenue in North America of $4.2 million, or 5% (both before and after the effect of foreign exchange), and an increase in International of $1.8 million, or 9% (both before and after the effect of foreign exchange); and

 

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A $1.2 million, or 4% increase (both before and after the effect of foreign exchange), in Internet Solutions. The increase was driven by an increase in North America of $1.2 million, or 4% (both before and after the effect of foreign exchange).

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010 vs. Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009

Total revenue decreased $28.4 million, or 2% (3% decrease before the effect of foreign exchange), for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2009. The decrease in total revenue was primarily driven by a decrease in North America total revenue of $40.9 million, or 4% (5% decrease before the effect of foreign exchange), partially offset by an increase in International total revenue of $12.5 million, or 5% (3% increase before the effect of foreign exchange). North America total revenue was impacted by the divestiture of our North American Self Awareness Solution business in the third quarter of 2010, which accounted for $32.9 million and $56.1 million in revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively. International total revenue was impacted by our divestiture of the domestic portion of our Italian operations in the second quarter of 2009, which accounted for $21.9 million in revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2009.

Core revenue, which reflects total revenue less revenue from a divested business, increased $16.7 million, or 2% (1% increase before the effect of foreign exchange), for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2009. The primary drivers of this change are:

 

   

Increased revenue as a result of a) our majority owned joint venture with RoadWay in China which we consolidated in the third quarter of 2009; b) our acquisition of substantially all of the assets of ICC which we consolidated in the third quarter of 2009; and c) our acquisition of Quality Education Data (“QED”) an acquisition which we consolidated in the first quarter of 2009, which in the aggregate, contributed two points of growth; and

 

   

Growth in our subscription plans from existing customers;

partially offset by:

 

   

Lower purchases from our customers due to a weak economy and their budgetary pressures.

Customer Solution Sets

On a customer solution set basis, core revenue reflects:

 

   

A $12.3 million, or 2% increase (1% increase before the effect of foreign exchange), in Risk Management Solutions. The increase was driven by an increase in International revenue of $21.8 million, or 12% (10% before the effect of foreign exchange), partially offset by a decrease in revenue in North America of $9.5 million, or 2% (both before and after the effect of foreign exchange);

 

   

A $7.6 million, or 2% increase (both before and after the effect of foreign exchange), in Sales & Marketing Solutions. The increase was driven by an increase in International of $12.7 million, or 22% (19% increase before the effect of foreign exchange), partially offset by a decrease in revenue in North America of $5.1 million, or 2% (both before and after the effect of foreign exchange); and

 

   

A $3.2 million, or 4% decrease (both before and after the effect of foreign exchange), in Internet Solutions. The decrease was driven by a decrease in North America of $3.1 million, or 4% (both before and after the effect of foreign exchange), and a decrease in revenue in International of $0.1 million, or 2% (5% decrease before the effect of foreign exchange).

 

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Consolidated Operating Costs

The following table presents our consolidated operating costs and operating income for the three month and nine month periods ended September 30, 2010 and 2009:

 

     For the Three Months Ended
September 30,
     For the Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2010      2009      2010      2009  
     (Amounts in millions)      (Amounts in millions)  

Operating Expenses

   $ 146.9       $ 120.5       $ 408.6       $ 366.9   

Selling and Administrative Expenses

     157.5         159.9         469.1         480.4   

Depreciation and Amortization

     17.1         13.8         48.3         42.4   

Restructuring Charge

     3.9         12.2         10.1         16.3   
                                   

Operating Costs

   $ 325.4       $ 306.4       $ 936.1       $ 906.0   
                                   

Operating Income

   $ 75.0       $ 92.6       $ 258.8       $ 317.3   
                                   

Operating Expenses

Three Months Ended September 30, 2010 vs. Three Months Ended September 30, 2009

Operating expenses increased $26.4 million, or 22%, for the three months ended September 30, 2010, compared to the three months ended September 30, 2009. The increase was primarily due to the following:

 

   

Impairment of certain intangible assets related to our Purisma acquisition completed in the fourth quarter of 2007;

 

   

Increased data acquisition costs and fulfillment costs primarily associated with a) our majority owned joint venture with RoadWay in China which we consolidated in the third quarter of 2009; and b) our acquisition of ICC which we consolidated in the third quarter of 2009; and

 

   

Increased costs associated with our investments, including $9.8 million for our Strategic Technology Investment designed to strengthen our leading position in commercial data and improve our current technology platform to meet emerging needs of customers;

partially offset by:

 

   

Lower expenses related to our reengineering efforts;

 

   

Lower costs as a result of our divestiture of our North American Self Awareness Solutions business in the third quarter of 2010; and

 

   

The positive impact of foreign exchange.

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010 vs. Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009

Operating expenses increased $41.7 million, or 11%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2010, compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2009. The increase was primarily due to the following:

 

   

Increased data acquisition costs and fulfillment costs primarily associated with a) our majority owned joint venture with RoadWay in China which we consolidated in the third quarter of 2009; and b) our acquisition of ICC which we consolidated in the third quarter of 2009;

 

   

Increased costs associated with our investments, including $20.4 million for our Strategic Technology Investment designed to strengthen our leading position in commercial data and improve our current technology platform to meet emerging needs of customers;

 

   

Impairment of certain intangible assets related to our Purisma acquisition completed in the fourth quarter of 2007; and

 

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The negative impact of foreign exchange;

partially offset by:

 

   

Lower expenses related to our divestiture of the domestic portion of our Italian operations and our reengineering efforts.

Selling and Administrative Expenses

Three Months Ended September 30, 2010 vs. Three Months Ended September 30, 2009

Selling and administrative expenses decreased $2.4 million, or 2%, for the three months ended September 30, 2010, compared to the three months ended September 30, 2009. The decrease was primarily due to the following:

 

   

Lower expenses related to our divestiture of our North American Self Awareness Solution business in the third quarter of 2010;

 

   

Lower expenses related to our reengineering efforts; and

 

   

The positive impact of foreign exchange;

partially offset by:

 

   

Increased selling expenses primarily associated with a) our majority owned joint venture with RoadWay in China which we consolidated in the third quarter of 2009; b) our acquisition of ICC which we consolidated in the third quarter of 2009; and c) acquisition costs for our acquisition of Dun and Bradstreet Holdings Limited (“D&B Australia”) in the third quarter of 2010;

 

   

Higher variable selling expenses related to increased revenue (e.g., bonus, commissions, etc.); and

 

   

Increased costs due to our product investments, including $1.7 million for our Strategic Technology Investment designed to strengthen our leading position in commercial data and improve our current technology platform to meet emerging needs of customers.

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010 vs. Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009

Selling and administrative expenses decreased $11.3 million, or 2%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2010, compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2009. The decrease was primarily due to the following:

 

   

Lower expenses related to reengineering efforts and decreased revenue (i.e., commissions);

 

   

Lower expenses related to our divestiture of the domestic portion of our Italian operations in the second quarter of 2010; and

 

   

Lower expenses related to our divestiture of our North American Self Awareness Solution business in the third quarter of 2010;

partially offset by:

 

   

Increased selling expenses primarily associated with a) our majority owned joint venture with RoadWay in China which we consolidated in the third quarter of 2009; b) our acquisition of ICC which we consolidated in the third quarter of 2009; and c) acquisition costs for our acquisition of D&B Australia in the third quarter of 2010;

 

   

Increased costs due to our product investments, including $3.5 million for our Strategic Technology Investment designed to strengthen our leading position in commercial data and improve our current technology platform to meet emerging needs of customers;

 

   

Impairment of certain intangible assets related to our Quality Education Data (“QED”) acquisition; and

 

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The negative impact of foreign exchange.

Matters Impacting Both Operating Expenses and Selling and Administrative Expenses

Pension, Postretirement and 401(k) Plan

We had net pension cost of $1.3 million and $4.1 million for the three month and nine month periods ended September 30, 2010, respectively, compared with $1.5 million and $4.7 million for the three month and nine month periods ended September 30 2009, respectively. Lower pension cost in 2010 was due to a longer amortization period applied to our U.S. Qualified plan, substantially offset by the impact of lower discount rates applied to our plans at January 1, 2010 and higher actuarial losses subject to amortization. Starting in November 2009, the amortization period applied to the unrecognized actuarial gains or losses for our U.S. Qualified Plan has been changed from average future service years of active participants to average life expectancy of all plan participants. The change was the result of almost all the plan participants being deemed inactive.

We had postretirement benefit income of $2.9 million and $4.4 million for the three month and nine month periods ended September 30, 2010, respectively, compared with postretirement benefit income of $0.7 million and $1.0 million for the three month and nine month periods ended September 30, 2009, respectively. The increase in income from 2009 to 2010 is primarily due to higher amortization of prior service credits, resulting from a plan amendment which was effective March 1, 2010, that eliminates the company-paid life insurance benefits for retirees. In addition, we will only share the minimum necessary amount of subsidy received from the government in any year to maintain actuarial equivalence for as long as possible.

In March 2010, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (“PPACA”) was signed into law. It was subsequently amended by the Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010. As a result, the federal subsidies we receive related to the retiree health benefit plans will effectively become taxable in tax years beginning after December 31, 2012. Under ASC 740, “Income Taxes,” the impact of the change in tax law is required to be immediately recognized in continuing operations in the income statement in the period the law is enacted. As a result, we recognized $13.0 million in our tax provision in the first quarter of 2010 as well as writing off the corresponding deferred tax asset.

In addition, we decided to convert the current prescription drug program for retirees over 65 to a group-based company sponsored Medicare Part D program, or Employer Group Waiver Plan (“EGWP”). Beginning in 2013, we will use the Part D subsidies delivered through the EGWP each year to reduce net company retiree medical costs until net company costs are completely eliminated. At that time, the Part D subsidies will be shared with retirees going forward to reduce retiree contributions. We have formally adopted this change effective July 1, 2010. This plan change is accounted for as a plan amendment under ASC 715-60-35, “Compensation—Retirement Benefits.” As a result, in the third quarter of 2010, we reduced our accumulated postretirement obligation by approximately $21 million.

We had expense associated with our 401(k) Plan of $1.9 million and $5.2 million for the three month and nine month periods ended September 30, 2010, respectively. We had expense associated with our 401(k) Plan of $1.0 million and $6.0 million for the three month and nine month periods ended September 30, 2009, respectively. The increase in expense for the three months ended September 30, 2010 as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2009, was primarily due to the amendment of our employer matching provision in the 401(k) Plan effective in April 2010 to increase the employer maximum match from three percent (3%) to seven percent (7%) of a team member’s eligible compensation, subject to certain 401(k) Plan limitations and we will continue to match 50% of a team member’s contributions. The decrease in expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2010, as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2009, was primarily due to the amendment of our employer matching provision in the 401(k) Plan effective in February, 2009, to decrease our match formula from 100% to 50% of a team member’s contributions and to decrease the maximum match from seven percent (7%) to three percent (3%) of such team member’s eligible compensation, subject to certain 401(k) Plan limitations.

Stock-Based Compensation

For the three month and nine month periods ended September 30, 2010, we recognized total stock-based compensation expense of $3.7 million and $15.3 million, compared to $4.8 million and $17.2 million for the three month and nine month periods ended September 30, 2009, respectively.

Expense associated with our stock option programs was $1.2 million and $5.7 million for the three month and nine month periods ended September 30, 2010, compared to $1.8 million and $7.7 million for the three month and nine month periods ended September 30, 2009. The decrease was primarily due to our forfeiture assumption true-up, partially offset by the accelerated expensing of an award issued to a retiree eligible executive.

 

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Expense associated with restricted stock, restricted stock unit and restricted stock opportunity awards was $2.3 million and $9.0 million for the three month and nine month periods ended September 30, 2010, compared to $2.8 million and $8.8 million for the three month and nine month periods ended September 30, 2009. The decrease for the three months ended September 30, 2010 was primarily due to higher forfeitures associated with terminated employees. The increase for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 was primarily due to the accelerated expensing of an award issued to a retiree eligible executive, partially offset by lower expense as a result of higher forfeitures associated with terminated employees as well as fewer awards being issued in 2010 as compared to the same period in 2009.

Expense associated with our Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“ESPP”) was $0.2 million and $0.6 million for the three month and nine month periods ended September 30, 2010, compared to $0.2 million and $0.7 million for the three month and nine month periods ended September 30, 2009, respectively

We expect total equity-based compensation of approximately $19 million for 2010. We consider these costs to be part of our compensation costs and, therefore, they are included in operating expenses and in selling and administrative expenses, based upon the classifications of the underlying compensation costs.

Depreciation and Amortization

Depreciation and amortization increased $3.3 million, or 24%, for the three months ended September 30, 2010, compared to the three months ended September 30, 2009. This increase was primarily driven by increased capital costs for revenue generating investments (i.e., Strategic Technology Investment, Hoover’s replatform) and an increase in amortization of acquired intangible assets resulting from our acquisitions and our major-owned joint ventures.

Depreciation and amortization increased $5.9 million, or 14%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2010, compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2009. This increase was primarily driven by an increase in amortization of acquired intangible assets resulting from our acquisitions and our major-owned joint ventures and increased capital costs for revenue generating investments (i.e., Strategic Technology Investment, Hoover’s replatform).

Restructuring Charge

Financial Flexibility is an ongoing process by which we seek to reallocate our spending from low-growth or low-value activities to other activities that will create greater value for shareholders through enhanced revenue growth, improved profitability and/or quality improvements. With each initiative, we have incurred restructuring charges (which generally consist of employee severance and termination costs, contract terminations, asset write-offs, and/or costs to terminate lease obligations less assumed sublease income). These charges are incurred as a result of eliminating, consolidating, standardizing and/or automating our business functions. We have also incurred transition costs such as consulting fees, costs of temporary workers, relocation costs and stay bonuses to implement our Financial Flexibility initiatives.

Restructuring charges have been recorded in accordance with ASC 712-10, “Nonretirement Postemployment Benefits,” or “ASC 712-10,” and/or ASC 420-10, “Exit or Disposal Cost Obligations,” or “ASC 420-10,” as appropriate.

We record severance costs provided under an ongoing benefit arrangement once they are both probable and estimable in accordance with the provisions of ASC 712-10.

We account for one-time termination benefits, contract terminations, asset write-offs, and/or costs to terminate lease obligations less assumed sublease income in accordance with ASC 420-10, which addresses financial accounting and reporting for costs associated with restructuring activities. Under ASC 420-10, we establish a liability for a cost associated with an exit or disposal activity, including severance and lease termination obligations, and other related costs, when the liability is incurred, rather than at the date that we commit to an exit plan. We reassess the expected cost to complete the exit or disposal activities at the end of each reporting period and adjust our remaining estimated liabilities, if necessary.

 

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The determination of when we accrue for severance costs and which standard applies depends on whether the termination benefits are provided under an ongoing arrangement as described in ASC 712-10 or under a one-time benefit arrangement as defined by ASC 420-10. Inherent in the estimation of the costs related to the restructurings are assessments related to the most likely expected outcome of the significant actions to accomplish the exit activities. In determining the charges related to the restructurings, we had to make estimates related to the expenses associated with the restructurings. These estimates may vary significantly from actual costs depending, in part, upon factors that may be beyond our control. We will continue to review the status of our restructuring obligations on a quarterly basis and, if appropriate, record changes to these obligations in current operations based on management’s most current estimates.

Three Months Ended September 30, 2010 vs. Three Months Ended September 30, 2009

During the three months ended September 30, 2010, we recorded a $3.9 million restructuring charge in connection with Financial Flexibility initiatives. The significant components of these charges included:

 

   

Severance and termination costs of $3.3 million in accordance with the provisions of ASC 712-10 were recorded. Approximately 100 employees were impacted; and

 

   

Lease termination obligations, other costs to consolidate or close facilities and other exit costs of $0.6 million were recorded.

During the three months ended September 30, 2009, we recorded a $12.2 million restructuring charge in connection with the Financial Flexibility initiatives. The significant components of these charges included:

 

   

Severance and termination costs of $4.9 million in accordance with the provisions of ASC 712-10 were recorded. Approximately 420 employees were impacted; and

 

   

Lease termination obligations, other costs to consolidate or close facilities and other exit costs of $7.3 million were recorded.

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010 vs. Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009

During the nine months ended September 30, 2010, we recorded a $10.1 million restructuring charge in connection with Financial Flexibility initiatives. The significant components of these charges included:

 

   

Severance and termination costs of $6.9 million in accordance with the provisions of ASC 712-10 were recorded. Approximately 250 employees were impacted; and

 

   

Lease termination obligations, other costs to consolidate or close facilities and other exit costs of $3.2 million were recorded.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2009, we recorded a $16.3 million restructuring charge in connection with the Financial Flexibility initiatives. The significant components of these charges included:

 

   

Severance and termination costs of $6.2 million in accordance with the provisions of ASC 712-10 were recorded. Approximately 480 employees were impacted; and

 

   

Lease termination obligations, other costs to consolidate or close facilities and other exit costs of $10.1 million were recorded.

 

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Interest Income (Expense) — Net

The following table presents our “Interest Income (Expense) – Net” for the three month and nine month periods ended September 30, 2010 and 2009:

 

     For the Three Months Ended
September 30,
    For the Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2010     2009     2010     2009  
     (Amounts in millions)     (Amounts in millions)  

Interest Income

   $ 0.5      $ 0.6      $ 1.4      $ 2.5   

Interest Expense

     (11.0     (11.4     (34.3     (34.2
                                

Interest Income (Expense) - Net

   $ (10.5   $ (10.8   $ (32.9   $ (31.7
                                

For the three months ended September 30, 2010, interest income decreased $0.1 million and interest expense decreased $0.4 million as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2009. The decrease in interest income is primarily attributable to lower interest rates.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2010, interest income decreased $1.1 million and interest expense increased $0.1 million as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2009. The decrease in interest income is attributable to lower interest rates. The increase in interest expense is primarily attributable to higher amounts of debt outstanding partially offset by lower interest rates.

Other Income (Expense) — Net

The following table presents our “Other Income (Expense) — Net” for the three month and nine month periods ended September 30, 2010 and 2009:

 

     For the Three Months Ended
September 30,
    For the Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2010     2009     2010      2009  
     (Amounts in millions)     (Amounts in millions)  

Effect of Legacy Tax Matters

   $ 0.3      $ 0.3      $ 0.8       $ 0.7   

Gain on Disposal of North American Self Awareness Solutions Business(a)

     23.1        —          23.1         —     

One-Time Gain on Hedge of Purchase Price on the Australia Acquisition(b)

     3.4        —          3.4         —     

Gain on Disposal of Italian Domestic Business(c)

     —          (2.2     —           9.3   

Settlement of Legacy Tax Matter Arbitration(d)

     —          —          —           4.1   

Miscellaneous Other Income (Expense) - Net(e)

     (1.6     (0.1     0.4         (0.2
                                 

Other Income (Expense) - Net

   $ 25.2      $ (2.0   $ 27.7       $ 13.9   
                                 

 

(a) During the three month and nine month periods ended September 30, 2010, we recognized a gain from the divestiture of our North American Self Awareness Solution business. See Note 13 to our unaudited consolidated financial statements in Item 1. of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
(b) During the three month and nine month periods ended September 30, 2010, we recognized a gain on the purchase of D&B Australia during the third quarter of 2010. See Note 11 to our unaudited consolidated financial statements in Item 1. of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
(c) During the nine months ended September 30, 2009, we recognized a gain as a result of the divestiture of the domestic portion of our Italian operations. See Note 13 to our unaudited consolidated financial statements in Item 1. of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
(d) During the nine months ended September 30, 2009, we recognized a gain on the receipt of an arbitration award related to a Legacy Tax Matter.

 

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(e) Miscellaneous Other (Expense) – Net increased for the three months ended September 30, 2010, compared to the three months ended September 30, 2009, primarily due to foreign currency transaction losses. Miscellaneous Other Income – Net increased for the nine months ended September 30, 2010, compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2009, primarily due to the sale of an investment and foreign currency transaction gains.

Provision for Income Taxes

For the three months ended September 30, 2010, our effective tax rate was 37.3% as compared to 31.8% for the three months ended September 30, 2009. The effective tax rate for the three months ended September 30, 2010, as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2009, was negatively impacted by reduced income in our foreign jurisdictions and the enactment of a change to UK tax laws. The effective tax rate for the three months ended September 30, 2009 was positively impacted by benefits derived from our worldwide legal entity simplification and negatively impacted by the increase in reserves for uncertain tax positions.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2010, our effective tax rate was 37.6% as compared to 21.2% for the nine months ended September 30, 2009. The effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2010, as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2009, was negatively impacted by reduced income in our foreign jurisdictions and by the reduction of the deferred tax asset associated with our accrued liability for retiree drug subsidies related to the 2010 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act which will make subsidy payments taxable in years beginning after December 31, 2012, and positively impacted by the release of reserves for uncertain tax positions following a favorable tax ruling in one of our international jurisdictions and a refund received with respect to a legacy tax matter. The effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 was positively impacted by benefits derived from worldwide legal entity simplification and our divestiture of the domestic portion of our Italian operations.

The total amount of unrecognized tax benefits as of September 30, 2010 was $146.2 million. During the three months ended September 30, 2010, we increased our unrecognized tax benefits by approximately $7.8 million, net of decreases. The increase is primarily related to uncertain tax positions recorded as part of our acquisition of D&B Australia and global tax planning initiatives. During the nine months ended September 30, 2010, we increased our unrecognized tax benefits by approximately $9.3 million, net of decreases, primarily related to uncertain tax positions recorded as part of our acquisition of D&B Australia and global tax planning initiatives. The amount of unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would impact the effective tax rate was $115.5 million, net of tax benefits. We believe it is reasonably possible that the unrecognized tax benefits could decrease within the next twelve months, by approximately $23 million, as a result of not pursuing certain refund claims.

We or one of our subsidiaries files income tax returns in the U.S. federal, and various state, local and foreign jurisdictions. In the U.S. federal jurisdiction, we are no longer subject to examinations by the IRS for years prior to 2004. In state and local jurisdictions, with few exceptions, we are no longer subject to examinations by tax authorities for years prior to 2005. In foreign jurisdictions, with few exceptions, we are no longer subject to examinations by tax authorities for years prior to 2004. The IRS is examining our 2004, 2005 and 2006 tax years. We expect the examination will be completed in the first quarter of 2011.

We recognize accrued interest expense and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense. The total amount of interest expense recognized in the three month and nine month periods ended September 30, 2010 was $0.9 million and $2.2 million, net of tax benefits, respectively, as compared to $0.8 million and $1.8 million, net of tax benefits, in the three month and nine month periods ended September 30, 2009, respectively. The total amount of accrued interest and penalties as of September 30, 2010 was $12.0 million, net of tax benefits, as compared to $9.2 million, net of tax benefits, as of September 30, 2009.

Earnings per Share

In accordance with authoritative guidance in ASC 260-10, we are required to assess if any of our share-based payment transactions are deemed participating securities prior to vesting and therefore need to be included in the earnings allocation when computing EPS under the two-class method. The two-class method requires earnings to be allocated between common shareholders and holders of participating securities. All outstanding unvested share-based payment awards that contain non-forfeitable rights to dividends are considered to be a separate class of common stock and should be included in the calculation of basic and diluted EPS. Based on a review of our stock-based awards, we have determined that only our restricted stock awards are deemed participating securities.

 

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The following table sets forth our EPS for the three month and nine month periods ended September 30, 2010 and 2009:

 

     For the Three Months Ended
September 30,
     For the Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2010      2009      2010      2009  

Basic Earnings Per Share of Common Stock Attributable to D&B Common Shareholders

   $ 1.13       $ 1.03       $ 3.17       $ 4.44   
                                   

Diluted Earnings Per Share of Common Stock Attributable to D&B Common Shareholders

   $ 1.12       $ 1.02       $ 3.14       $ 4.39   
                                   

For the three months ended September 30, 2010, both basic EPS attributable to D&B common shareholders and diluted EPS attributable to D&B common shareholders increased 10%, compared with the three months ended September 30, 2009, due to an increase of 5% in Net Income Attributable to D&B and a 5% reduction in the weighted average number of basic and diluted shares outstanding resulting from our total share repurchases.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2010, both basic EPS attributable to D&B common shareholders and diluted EPS attributable to D&B common shareholders decreased 29%, compared with the nine months ended September 30, 2009, due to a decrease of 32% in Net Income Attributable to D&B and a 5% reduction in the weighted average number of basic and diluted shares outstanding resulting from our total share repurchases.

Segment Results

Our results are reported under the following two segments: North America and International. The segments reported below are our segments for which separate financial information is available and upon which operating results are evaluated on a timely basis to assess performance and to allocate resources.

North America

North America is our largest segment representing 76% of our total revenue for each of the three month and nine month periods ended September 30, 2010 as compared to 78% of our total revenue for each of the three month and nine month periods ended September 30, 2009, respectively.

On July 30, 2010, we completed the sale of substantially all of the assets and liabilities of our North American Self Awareness Solution business. This business has been classified as a “Divested Business.” See Note 13 to our unaudited consolidated financial statements included in Item 1. of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for further detail. This divested business contributed 1% and 4% of our North America total revenue for the three month and nine month periods ended September 30, 2010, respectively, and 5% and 6% of our North America total revenue for the three month and nine month periods ended September 30, 2009, respectively.

North America represented 76% of our core revenue for each of the three month and nine month periods ended September 30, 2010 as compared to 77% and 78% of our core revenue for the three month and nine month periods ended September 30, 2009, respectively.

The following table presents our North America total and core revenue by customer solution set and North America operating income for the three month and nine month periods ended September 30, 2010 and 2009.

Additionally, this table reconciles the non-GAAP measure of core revenue to the GAAP measure of total revenue by customer solution set.

 

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     For the Three Months Ended
September 30,
     For the Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2010      2009      2010      2009  
     (Amounts in millions)      (Amounts in millions)  

Revenue:

           

Risk Management Solutions

   $ 184.0       $ 182.2       $ 541.9       $ 551.4   

Sales & Marketing Solutions

     88.9         84.7         253.0         258.1   

Internet Solutions

     28.3         27.1         83.6         86.7   
                                   

North America Core Revenue

     301.2         294.0         878.5         896.2   

Divested Business

     4.4         16.8         32.9         56.1   
                                   

North America Total Revenue

   $ 305.6       $ 310.8       $ 911.4       $ 952.3   
                                   

Operating Income

   $ 93.5       $ 105.4       $ 297.2       $ 338.7   
                                   

North America Overview

Three Months Ended September 30, 2010 vs. Three Months Ended September 30, 2009

North America total revenue decreased $5.2 million, or 2% (both before and after the effect of foreign exchange), for the three months ended September 30, 2010 as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2009. Total North America revenue was impacted by our divestiture of our North American Self Awareness Solution business in the third quarter of 2010, which accounted for $4.4 million and $16.8 million in revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively. The decrease was offset by an increase of $7.2 million, or 3% (2% increase before the effect of foreign exchange), in core revenue.

North America Customer Solution Sets

On a customer solution set basis, the $7.2 million increase in core revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2010 as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2009, reflects:

Risk Management Solutions

 

   

An increase in Risk Management Solutions of $1.8 million, or 1% (both before and after the effect of foreign exchange).

For the three months ended September 30, 2010, Traditional Risk Management Solutions, which accounted for 68% of total North America Risk Management Solutions, decreased 2% (both before and after the effect of foreign exchange). The decrease was primarily due to:

 

   

The impact of lower volumes of credit origination has resulted in lower transactional volumes as well as a lower demand in earlier periods for our ratable subscription products, both factors impacted our third quarter 2010 results;

partially offset by:

 

   

Growth in our subscription plans for DNBi in our third quarter 2010 due to higher purchases from our existing customers as they converted from our legacy products to subscription plans for DNBi, including the customers who previously purchased value-added solutions. These subscription plans provide our customers with unlimited use of our Risk Management reports and data.

We continue to see single digit price lifts when existing customers renew these subscription plans and double digit price lifts when customers convert to DNBi. However, with more than half of our Risk Management Solutions revenue derived from DNBi, we have a far smaller base available for conversion for the future.

For the three months ended September 30, 2010, Value-Added Risk Management Solutions, which accounted for 23% of total North America Risk Management Solutions, increased 5% (both before and after the effect of foreign exchange). The increase was primarily due to:

 

   

A shift in the timing of the renewal of a significant contract that had been executed in the fourth quarter of 2009; and

 

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Higher purchases from existing customers of modules enabled by our DNBi platform, which are included in our Value-Added Risk Management Solutions;

partially offset by:

 

   

A shift in product mix to our DNBi subscriptions plans from our Value-Added Risk Management Solutions to our Traditional Risk Management Solutions (as noted above).

For the three months ended September 30, 2010, Supply Management Solutions, which accounted for 9% of total North America Risk Management Solutions, increased 17% (both before and after the effect of foreign exchange), on a small base.

Sales & Marketing Solutions

 

   

An increase in Sales & Marketing Solutions of $4.2 million, or 5% (both before and after the effect of foreign exchange).

For the three months ended September 30, 2010, Traditional Sales & Marketing Solutions, which accounted for 39% of total North America Sales & Marketing Solutions, decreased 7% (both before and after the effect of foreign exchange). The decrease was primarily due to:

 

   

Lower purchases of our legacy products from our customers due to a weak economy and budgetary pressures. These budgetary pressures have caused our customers to shift from direct mail activities to digital marketing to reduce costs;

partially offset by:

 

   

A shift in timing of renewals primarily relating to contracts with longer commitment terms.

For the three months ended September 30, 2010, Value-Added Sales & Marketing Solutions, which accounted for 61% of total North America Sales & Marketing Solutions, increased 15% (both before and after the effect of foreign exchange). The increase was primarily due to:

 

   

Increased cross-selling of our Sales & Marketing Solutions value-added solutions into our broader customer base, and broader cross-selling within the Sales & Marketing Solutions value-added solutions customer base (including the cross-selling of new solutions for digital marketing); and

 

   

New customer acquisition and increased commitments within certain of our solutions.

Internet Solutions

 

   

An increase in Internet Solutions of $1.2 million, or 4% (both before and after the effect of foreign exchange), on a small base.

North America Operating Income

North America operating income for the three months ended September 30, 2010 was $93.5 million, compared to $105.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2009, a decrease of $11.9 million, or 11%. The decrease in operating income was primarily attributable to:

 

   

Impairment of intangible assets related to our Purisma acquisition; and

 

   

Increased compensation costs due to increased revenue (i.e., bonuses);

partially offset by:

 

   

Lower costs as a result of our divestiture of our North American Self Awareness Solution business;

 

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An increase in North America core revenue; and

 

   

Lower costs as a result of our reengineering efforts.

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010 vs. Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009

North America total revenue decreased $40.9 million, or 4% (5% decrease before the effect of foreign exchange), for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2009, reflecting a decrease of $17.7 million, or 2% (both before and after the effect of foreign exchange), in core revenue. North America total revenue was also impacted by our divestiture of our North American Self Awareness Solution business in the third quarter of 2010, which accounted for $32.9 million and $56.1 million in revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

North America Customer Solution Sets

On a customer solution set basis, the $17.7 million decrease in core revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2009, reflects:

Risk Management Solutions

 

   

A decrease in Risk Management Solutions of $9.5 million, or 2% (both before and after the effect of foreign exchange).

For the nine months ended September 30, 2010, Traditional Risk Management Solutions, which accounted for 69% of total North America Risk Management Solutions, decreased 3% (4% decrease before the effect of foreign exchange). The decrease was primarily due to:

 

   

The impact of lower volumes of credit origination has resulted in lower transactional volumes as well as a lower demand in earlier periods for our ratable subscription products;

partially offset by:

 

   

Growth in our subscription plans for DNBi in our third quarter 2010 due to: a) continued high retention and increased dollar spend per customer resulting from an increased emphasis on our value proposition; and b) higher purchases from our existing customers as they converted from our legacy products to subscription plans for DNBi, including the customers who previously purchased value-added solutions. These subscription plans provide our customers with unlimited use of our Risk Management reports and data.

We continue to see single digit price lifts when existing customers renew these subscription plans and double digit price lifts when customers convert to DNBi. However, with more than half of our Risk Management Solutions revenue derived from DNBi, we have a far smaller base available for conversion for the future.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2010, Value-Added Risk Management Solutions, which accounted for 23% of total North America Risk Management Solutions, decreased 1% (2% decrease before the effect of foreign exchange). The decrease was primarily due to:

 

   

A shift in product mix to our DNBi subscriptions plans from our Value-Added Risk Management Solutions to our Traditional Risk Management Solutions (as noted above);

 

   

A shift in timing of renewals primarily into prior year periods; and

 

   

A decrease in revenue due to loss of a customer contract;

partially offset by:

 

   

Higher purchases from existing customers of modules enabled by our DNBi platform which are included in our Value-Added Risk Management Solutions; and

 

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A shift in the timing of the renewal of a significant contract that had been executed in the fourth quarter of 2009.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2010, Supply Management Solutions, which accounted for 8% of total North America Risk Management Solutions, increased 11% (both before and after the effect of foreign exchange), on a small base.

Sales & Marketing Solutions

 

   

A decrease in Sales & Marketing Solutions of $5.1 million, or 2% (both before and after the effect of foreign exchange).

For the nine months ended September 30, 2010, Traditional Sales & Marketing Solutions, which accounted for 35% of total North America Sales & Marketing Solutions, decreased 10% (both before and after the effect of foreign exchange). The decrease was primarily due to:

 

   

Lower purchases of our legacy products from our customers due to a weak economy and budgetary pressures. These budgetary pressures have caused our customers to shift from direct mail activities to digital marketing to reduce costs; and

 

   

A shift in timing of renewals primarily relating to contracts with longer commitment terms;

partially offset by:

 

   

Increased revenue associated with our acquisition of QED which we consolidated during the first quarter of 2009, which contributed one point of growth.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2010, Value-Added Sales & Marketing Solutions, which accounted for 65% of total North America Sales & Marketing Solutions, increased 3% (both before and after the effect of foreign exchange). The increase was primarily due to:

 

   

Increased cross-selling of our Sales &Marketing Solutions value-added solutions into our broader customer base, and broader cross-selling within the Sales & Marketing Solutions value-added solutions customer base (including the cross-selling of new solutions for digital marketing); and

 

   

New customer acquisition and increased commitments within certain of our solutions;

partially offset by:

 

   

Lower purchases of our value-added products due to budgetary pressures on our customers. In this environment customers are continuing to defer, decrease or declined to renew and this caused the decline in demand.

Internet Solutions

 

   

A decrease in Internet Solutions of $3.1 million, or 4% (both before and after the effect of foreign exchange), as a result of a decline in our 2009 subscription renewal sales and a loss of a one-time benefit in prior year due to a large customer deal not renewing.

North America Operating Income

North America operating income for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 was $297.2 million, compared to $338.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009, a decrease of $41.5 million, or 12%. The decrease in operating income was primarily attributable to:

 

   

Impairment of intangible assets related to our Purisma and QED acquisitions;

 

   

A decrease in North America core revenue; and

 

   

Increased costs associated with our investments;

 

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partially offset by:

 

   

Lower costs as a result of decreased variable expenses (e.g., commissions, etc.) and our reengineering efforts; and

 

   

Lower costs as a result of our divestiture of our North American Self Awareness Solution business.

International

International represented 24% of our total revenue for each of the three month and nine month periods ended September 30, 2010 as compared to 22% of our total revenue for each of the three month and nine month periods ended September 30, 2009.

On May 29, 2009, we completed the sale of substantially all the assets and liabilities of the domestic portion of our Italian operations. This business has been classified as a “Divested Business.” See Note 13 to our unaudited consolidated financial statements included in Item 1. of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for further detail. This divested business contributed 8% of our International total revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2009.

International represented 24% of our core revenue for each of the three month and nine month periods ended September 30, 2010, as compared to 23% and 22% of our core revenue for the three month and nine month periods ended September 30, 2009.

The following table presents our International revenue by customer solution set and International operating income for the three month and nine month periods ended September 30, 2010 and 2009.

Additionally, this table reconciles the non-GAAP measure of core revenue to the GAAP measure of total revenue by customer solution set.

 

     For the Three Months Ended
September 30,
     For the Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2010      2009      2010      2009  
     (Amounts in millions)      (Amounts in millions)  

Revenue:

           

Risk Management Solutions

   $ 70.9       $ 66.1       $ 209.6       $ 187.8   

Sales & Marketing Solutions

     23.0         21.2         71.4         58.7   

Internet Solutions

     0.9         0.9         2.5         2.6   
                                   

International Core Revenue

     94.8         88.2         283.5         249.1   

Divested Businesses

     —           —           —           21.9   
                                   

International Total Revenue

   $ 94.8       $ 88.2       $ 283.5       $ 271.0   
                                   

Operating Income

   $ 14.4       $ 17.7       $ 47.1       $ 51.9   
                                   

International Overview

Three Months Ended September 30, 2010 vs. Three Months Ended September 30, 2009

International total and core revenue increased $6.6 million, or 7% (11% increase before the effect of foreign exchange), for the three months ended September 30, 2010 as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2009. The increase in total and core revenue was primarily due to:

 

   

Increased revenue as a result of the acquisition of ICC which we consolidated in the third quarter of 2009 and our majority owned joint venture with RoadWay in China which we consolidated in the third quarter of 2009, which in the aggregate, contributed five points of growth; and

 

   

Increased purchases from our existing customers in certain of our markets;

partially offset by:

 

   

The negative impact of foreign exchange.

 

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International Customer Solution Sets

On a customer solution set basis, the $6.6 million increase in International total and core revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2010, as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2009, reflects:

Risk Management Solutions

 

   

An increase in Risk Management Solutions of $4.8 million, or 7% (11% increase before the effect of foreign exchange).

For the three months ended September 30, 2010, Traditional Risk Management Solutions, which accounted for 90% of International Risk Management Solutions, increased 15% (19% increase before the effect of foreign exchange). The increase in Traditional Risk Management solutions was primarily due to:

 

   

Increased revenue as a result of the acquisition of ICC which we consolidated in the third quarter of 2009, which contributed six points of growth;

 

   

Increased purchases from new and existing customers in certain of our Asia Pacific markets; and

 

   

Increased revenue from a) providing cross-border data to members of our D&B Worldwide Network attributable to fulfillment services and product usage; and b) our commercial agreement to provide global data entered into in connection with our divestiture of the domestic portion of our Italian operations;

partially offset by:

 

   

The negative impact of foreign exchange.

For the three months ended September 30, 2010, Value-Added Risk Management Solutions, which accounted for 9% of International Risk Management Solutions, decreased 36% (30% decrease before the effect of foreign exchange) primarily due to decreased purchases of domestic data in our European markets from our customers due to economic and budgetary pressures.

For the three months ended September 30, 2010, Supply Management Solutions, which accounted for 1% of International Risk Management Solutions, decreased 15% (11% decrease before the effect of foreign exchange) on a small base.

Sales & Marketing Solutions

 

   

An increase in Sales & Marketing Solutions of $1.8 million, or 9% (both before and after the effect of foreign exchange).

For the three months ended September 30, 2010, Traditional Sales & Marketing Solutions, which accounted for 62% of International Sales & Marketing Solutions, increased 14% (17% increase before the effect of foreign exchange). This increase was primarily due to increased revenue as a result of our majority owned joint venture with RoadWay in China which we consolidated in the third quarter of 2009, which contributed three points of growth.

For the three months ended September 30, 2010, Value-Added Sales & Marketing Solutions, which accounted for 38% of International Sales & Marketing Solutions, remained flat (2% decrease before the effect of foreign exchange). This was primarily due to lower purchases by existing customers in our Asia Pacific market. Certain customers in this region are carefully managing their value-added marketing spend due to continued economic pressures. The decrease is partially offset by increased purchases in certain of our European markets by our customers.

 

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Internet Solutions

 

   

Our Internet Solutions remained flat compared to prior year.

International Operating Income

International operating income for the three months ended September 30, 2010 was $14.4 million, compared to $17.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2009, a decrease of $3.3 million, or 19%, primarily due to:

 

   

Acquisition costs associated with our acquisition of D&B Australia completed in the third quarter of 2010;

 

   

The negative impact of foreign exchange; and

 

   

Investments to launch DNBi in Europe and data costs in certain of our Asia Pacific markets;

partially offset by:

 

   

An increase in core revenue; and

 

   

Lower costs as a result of our reengineering efforts.

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010 vs. Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009

International total revenue increased $12.5 million, or 5% (3% increase before the effect of foreign exchange), for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2009, reflecting an increase of $34.4 million, or 14% (12% increase before the effect of foreign exchange), in core revenue, which was partially offset by our divestiture of the domestic portion of our Italian operations in the second quarter of 2009, which accounted for $21.9 million in revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2009. The increase in core revenue was primarily due to:

 

   

Increased revenue as a result of the acquisition of ICC which we consolidated in the third quarter of 2009 and our consolidation of our majority owned joint venture with RoadWay in China which we consolidated in the third quarter of 2009, which in the aggregate, contributed seven points of growth;

 

   

Increased purchases from existing customers in certain of our markets;

 

   

The positive impact of foreign exchange; and

 

   

Increased revenue from a) providing increased cross-border data to members of our D&B Worldwide Network attributable to fulfillment services and product usage; b) our commercial agreement to provide global data entered into in connection with our divestiture of the domestic portion of our Italian operations; and c) our focus on investments in data quality.

International Customer Solution Sets

On a customer solution set basis, the $34.4 million increase in International core revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2010, as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2009, reflects:

Risk Management Solutions

 

   

An increase in Risk Management Solutions of $21.8 million, or 12% (10% increase before the effect of foreign exchange).

For the nine months ended September 30, 2010, Traditional Risk Management Solutions, which accounted for 86% of International Risk Management Solutions, increased 15% (13% increase before the effect of foreign exchange). The increase in Traditional Risk Management solutions was primarily due to:

 

   

Increased revenue as a result of the acquisition of ICC which we consolidated in the third quarter of 2009, which contributed seven points of growth;

 

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Increased revenue from a) providing cross-border data to members of our D&B Worldwide Network attributable to fulfillment services and product usage; and b) our commercial agreement to provide global data entered into in connection with our divestiture of the domestic portion of our Italian operations;

 

   

Increased purchases from new and existing customers in certain of our markets; and

 

   

The positive impact of foreign exchange.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2010, Value-Added Risk Management Solutions, which accounted for 13% of International Risk Management Solutions, decreased 5% (both before and after the effect of foreign exchange) primarily due to decreased purchases in certain of our markets from our customers due to economic and budgetary pressures.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2010, Supply Management Solutions, which accounted for 1% of International Risk Management Solutions, increased 14% (12% increase before the effect of foreign exchange) on a small base.

Sales & Marketing Solutions

 

   

An increase in Sales & Marketing Solutions of $12.7 million, or 22% (19% increase before the effect of foreign exchange).

For the nine months ended September 30, 2010, Traditional Sales & Marketing Solutions, which accounted for 59% of International Sales & Marketing Solutions, increased 44% (41% increase before the effect of foreign exchange). This increase was primarily due to:

 

   

Increased revenue as a result of our majority owned joint venture with RoadWay in China which we consolidated in the third quarter of 2009 and the acquisition of ICC which we consolidated in the third quarter of 2009, which contributed twenty-eight points of growth; and

 

   

Increased purchases from new and existing customers in certain of our markets.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2010, Value-Added Sales & Marketing Solutions, which accounted for 41% of International Sales & Marketing Solutions, remained flat (4% decrease before the effect of foreign exchange). The decrease was primarily due to lower purchases by existing customers in our Asia Pacific market. Certain customers in this region are carefully managing their value-added marketing spend due to continued economic pressures. The decrease is partially offset by the positive impact of foreign exchange.

Internet Solutions

 

   

A decrease in Internet Solutions of $0.1 million, or 2% (5% decrease before the effect of foreign exchange), on a small base.

 

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International Operating Income

International operating income for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 was $47.1 million, compared to $51.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009, a decrease of $4.8 million, or 9%, primarily due to:

 

   

Acquisition costs associated with our acquisition of D&B Australia completed in the third quarter of 2010;

 

   

The negative impact of foreign exchange; and

 

   

Investments to launch DNBi in Europe and data costs in certain of our Asia Pacific markets;

 

partially offset by:

 

   

An increase in core revenue;

 

   

Lower costs as a result of our reengineering efforts; and

 

   

Lower costs as a result of our divestiture of the domestic portion of our Italian operations.

 

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Forward-Looking Statements

We may from time-to-time make written or oral “forward-looking” statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including statements contained in filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, in reports to shareholders and in press releases and investor Web casts. These forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words like “anticipates,” “aspirations,” “believes,” “continues,” “estimates,” “expects,” “goals,” “guidance,” “intends,” “plans,” “projects,” “strategy,” “targets,” “commits,” “will” and other words of similar meaning. They can also be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts.

We cannot guarantee that any forward-looking statement will be realized. Achievement of future results is subject to risks, uncertainties and inaccurate assumptions. Should known or unknown risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove inaccurate, actual results could vary materially from those anticipated, estimated or projected. Investors should bear this in mind as they consider forward-looking statements and whether to invest in, or remain invested in, our securities. In connection with the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, we are identifying in the following paragraphs important factors that, individually or in the aggregate, could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements made by us; any such statement is qualified by reference to the following cautionary statements.

The following important factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in such forward-looking statements:

 

   

We rely significantly on third parties to support critical components of our business model in a continuous and high quality manner, including third-party data providers, strategic third-party members in our D&B Worldwide Network, and third parties with whom we have outsourcing arrangements;

 

   

Our ability to implement and derive the benefits of our Strategic Technology Investment program announced in February 2010;

 

   

Demand for our products is subject to intense competition, changes in customer preferences and economic conditions which impact customer behavior;

 

   

Our solutions and brand image are dependent upon the integrity and security of our global database and the continued availability thereof through the internet and by other means, as well as our ability to protect key assets, such as our data centers;

 

   

Our ability to maintain the integrity of our brand and reputation, which we believe are key assets and competitive advantages;

 

   

Our ability to renew large contracts, the related revenue recognition and the timing thereof, or a shift in product mix, may impact our results of operations from period-to-period;

 

   

As a result of the macro-economic challenges currently affecting the global economy, our customers or vendors may experience cash flow problems. This may cause our customers to delay, cancel or significantly decrease their purchases from us and impact their ability to pay amounts owed to us. In addition, our vendors may substantially increase their prices without notice. Such behavior may adversely affect our earnings and cash flow. In addition, if economic conditions in the United States and other key markets deteriorate further or do not show improvement, we may experience material adverse impacts to our business, operating results, and/or access to credit markets;

 

   

Our results are subject to the effects of foreign economies, exchange rate fluctuations, legislative or regulatory requirements, such as the adoption of new or changes in accounting policies and practices, including pronouncements by the Financial Accounting Standards Board or other standard setting bodies, and the implementation or modification of fees or taxes that we must pay to acquire, use, and/or redistribute data;

 

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Our ability to introduce new solutions or services, including in a seamless way and without disruption to existing solutions such as DNBi;

 

   

Our ability to acquire and successfully integrate other complementary businesses, products and technologies into our existing business, without significant disruption to our existing business or to our financial results;

 

   

The continued adherence by third-party members of our D&B Worldwide Network to our quality standards, our brand and communication standards and to the terms and conditions of our commercial services arrangements

 

   

Our future success requires that we attract and retain qualified personnel, including members of our sales force and technology teams, in regions throughout the world;

 

   

The profitability of our International segment depends on our ability to identify and execute on various initiatives, such as the continued implementation of subscription plan pricing and successfully managing our D&B Worldwide Network, and our ability to identify and contend with various challenges present in foreign markets, such as local competition and the availability of public records at no cost;

 

   

Our ability to successfully implement our growth strategy requires that we successfully reduce our expense base through our Financial Flexibility initiatives, and reallocate certain of the expense-base reductions into initiatives that produce desired revenue growth;

 

   

We are involved in various tax matters and legal proceedings, the outcomes of which are unknown and uncertain with respect to the impact on our cash flow and profitability;

 

   

Our ability to repurchase shares is subject to market conditions, including trading volume in our stock, and our ability to repurchase shares in accordance with applicable securities laws; and

 

   

Our projection for free cash flow is dependent upon our ability to generate revenue, our collection processes, customer payment patterns, the timing and volume of stock option exercises and the amount and timing of payments related to the tax and other matters and legal proceedings in which we are involved.

We elaborate on the above list of important factors throughout this document and in our other filings with the SEC, particularly in the discussion of our Risk Factors in Item 1A. of our Annual Report on Form 10-K. It should be understood that it is not possible to predict or identify all risk factors. Consequently, the above list of important factors and the Risk Factors discussed in Item 1A. of our Annual Report on Form 10-K should not be considered to be a complete discussion of all of our potential trends, risks and uncertainties. Except as otherwise required by federal securities laws, we do not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement we may make from time-to-time.

 

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Liquidity and Financial Position

In connection with our commitment to delivering Total Shareholder Return, we will remain disciplined in the use of our shareholders’ cash, maintaining three key priorities for the use of this cash:

 

   

First, making ongoing investments in the business to drive growth;

 

   

Second, investing in acquisitions that we believe will be value-accretive to enhance our capabilities and accelerate our growth; and

 

   

Third, continuing to return cash to shareholders.

We believe that cash provided by operating activities, supplemented as needed with available financing arrangements, is sufficient to meet our short-term needs (twelve months or less), including restructuring charges, transition costs, contractual obligations and contingencies (see Note 7 to our unaudited consolidated financial statements in Item 1. of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q), excluding the legal matters identified in such note for which exposures cannot be estimated or are not probable. In addition, we believe that our ability to readily access the bank and capital markets for incremental financing needs will enable us to meet our continued focus on Total Shareholder Return. We have the ability to access the short-term borrowings market from time-to-time to fund working capital needs, acquisitions and share repurchases. Such borrowings would be supported by our credit facility, when needed.

We have $300 million of senior notes maturing on March 15, 2011 and intend to refinance the notes. While we believe we will be able to refinance the notes, we also have the ability to retire the notes as they come due based on available borrowing capacity under our credit facility, future cash provided by operations, and current cash balances.

The disruption in the economic environment has had a significant adverse impact on a number of commercial and financial institutions. Our liquidity has not been impacted by the current credit environment and management does not expect that it will be materially impacted in the near-future. Management continues to closely monitor our liquidity, the credit markets and our financial counterparties. However, management cannot predict with any certainty the impact to us of any further disruption in the credit environment.

Cash Provided by Operating Activities

Net cash provided by operating activities was $278.9 million and $302.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively. The $23.9 million decrease was primarily driven by:

 

   

Decreased net income of our underlying business excluding the impact of non-cash gains and losses;

partially offset by:

 

   

A decrease in tax payments and a receipt of a refund from the IRS related to a legacy tax matter.

Cash Used in Investing Activities

Net cash used in investing activities was $235.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010, as compared to net cash used in investing activities of $106.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009. The $129.0 million change primarily reflects the following activities:

 

   

During the nine months ended September 30, 2010, in connection with our initiatives to drive long-term growth, we spent $203.3 million on acquisitions/majority-owned joint ventures and other investments, net of cash acquired, as compared to $74.2 million, net of cash acquired, during the nine months ended September 30, 2009. See Note 11 to our unaudited consolidated financial statements included in Item 1. of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for further information; and

 

   

Cash settlements of our foreign currency contracts for our hedged transactions resulted in $2.0 million of cash inflow for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 as compared to $9.4 million cash inflow during the nine months ended September 30, 2009.

 

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Cash Used in Financing Activities

Net cash used in financing activities was $175.2 million and $190.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively. As set forth below, this $15.2 million change primarily relates to a decrease in share repurchases partially offset by lower proceeds from our stock-based programs.

Share Repurchases

During the nine months ended September 30, 2010, we repurchased 1.5 million shares of common stock for $114.8 million. The share repurchases are comprised of the following programs:

 

   

In February 2009, our Board of Directors approved a $200 million share repurchase program, which commenced in December 2009 upon completion of our then existing $400 million, two-year repurchase program. We repurchased 0.9 million shares of common stock for $63.0 million under this repurchase program during the nine months ended September 30, 2010. We anticipate that this program will be completed by December 2011.

 

   

In August 2006, our Board of Directors approved a four-year, five million share repurchase program to mitigate the dilutive effect of the shares issued under our stock incentive plans and ESPP. We repurchased 0.6 million shares of common stock for $51.8 million under this program during the nine months ended September 30, 2010. This program expired in August 2010.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2009, we repurchased 1.9 million shares of common stock for $143.4 million. The share repurchases are comprised of the following programs:

 

   

In December 2007, our Board of Directors approved a $400 million, two-year share repurchase program, which commenced in February 2008. We repurchased 1.4 million shares of common stock for $102.5 million under this share repurchase program during the nine months ended September 30, 2009; and

 

   

In August 2006, our Board of Directors approved a four-year, five million share repurchase program to mitigate the dilutive effect of the shares issued under our stock incentive plans and ESPP. We repurchased 0.5 million shares of common stock for $40.9 million under this program during the nine months ended September 30, 2009. This repurchase program expired in August 2010.

Stock-based Programs

For the nine months ended September 30, 2010, net proceeds from stock-based awards were $3.0 million as compared to $14.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009. The decrease was attributed to a decrease in the volume of stock option exercises during the nine months ended September 30, 2010 as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2009.

Future Liquidity—Sources and Uses of Funds

Share Repurchases and Dividends

In February 2009, our Board of Directors approved a $200 million share repurchase program which commenced in December 2009. During the nine months ended September 30, 2010, we repurchased 0.9 million shares of common stock for $63.0 million under this program with $114.3 million remaining under this program. We anticipate that this program will be completed by December 2011.

In May 2010, our Board of Directors approved a new four-year, five million share repurchase program to mitigate the dilutive effect of the shares issued under our stock incentive plans and ESPP. This new program has not yet commenced.

In October 2010, our Board of Directors approved the declaration of a dividend of $0.35 per share for the third quarter of 2010. This cash dividend will be payable on December 13, 2010 to shareholders of record at the close of business on November 29, 2010.

 

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Strategic Technology Investment Program

On February 4, 2010, we announced a Strategic Technology Investment program which we believe will strengthen our leading position in commercial data and improve our current technology platform to meet emerging needs of customers. We anticipate spending approximately $110 million to $130 million over approximately the next two years to complete the program, with approximately $45 million to $55 million of the spend occurring in 2010.

Debt

We have $300 million of senior notes maturing on March 15, 2011 and intend to refinance the notes on or before such date. While we believe we will be able to refinance the notes, we also have the ability to retire the notes as they come due based on available borrowing capacity under our credit facility, future cash provided by operations, and current cash balances.

Spin-off Obligation

In 2000, as part of a spin-off transaction under which Moody’s Corporation (“Moody’s”) and D&B became independent of one another, Moody’s and D&B entered into a Tax Allocation Agreement (“TAA”). Under the TAA, Moody’s and D&B agreed that Moody’s would be entitled to deduct the compensation expense associated with the exercise of Moody’s stock options (including Moody’s stock options exercised by D&B employees) and D&B would be entitled to deduct the compensation expense associated with the exercise of D&B stock options (including D&B stock options exercised by employees of Moody’s). Put simply, the tax deduction would go to the company that granted the stock options, rather than to the employer of the individual exercising the stock options. In 2002 and 2003, the IRS issued rulings that clarified that, under the circumstances applicable to Moody’s and D&B, the compensation expense deduction belongs to the employer of the option grantee and not to the issuer of the option (e.g., D&B would be entitled to deduct the compensation expense associated with D&B employees exercising Moody’s options and Moody’s would be entitled to deduct the compensation expense associated with Moody’s employees exercising D&B options). We have filed tax returns for 2001 through 2009, and made estimated tax deposits for 2010, consistent with the IRS’ rulings. Under the TAA, we may be required to reimburse Moody’s for the loss of compensation expense deductions relating to tax years 2003 to the third quarter of 2010 of approximately $21.5 million in the aggregate for such years, which amounts principally relate to the years 2006-2010. In 2005 and 2006, we paid Moody’s approximately $30.1 million in the aggregate under the TAA. We have not made any payments to Moody’s since the first quarter of 2006 with respect to this issue. In a letter dated September 10, 2010, Moody’s asserted that D&B has failed to reimburse Moody’s approximately $2.8 million plus interest as a result of the change in reporting position for 2003-2005 and that Moody’s may initiate an arbitration proceeding in connection therewith. We responded to Moody’s that we disagreed with its position and proposed meeting to discuss and resolve the matter. We are in the process of scheduling that meeting. While not material, we may also be required to pay, in the future, amounts in addition to the approximately $21.5 million referenced above based upon interpretations by the parties of the TAA and the IRS rulings.

Potential Payments in Legal Matters

We and our predecessors are involved in certain legal proceedings, claims and litigation arising in the ordinary course of business. These matters are at various stages of resolution, but could ultimately result in significant cash payments as described in Note 7 to our unaudited consolidated financial statements included in Item 1. of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. We believe we have adequate reserves recorded in our consolidated financial statements for our current exposures in these matters, where applicable, as described herein.

Unrecognized Tax Benefits

In addition to our contractual cash obligations as set forth in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ending December 31, 2009, we have a total amount of unrecognized tax benefits of $146.2 million as of September 30, 2010. Although we do not anticipate payments within the next twelve months for these matters, these could require the aggregate use of cash totaling approximately $141.6 million.

 

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Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements and Related Party Transactions

We do not have any transactions, obligations or relationships that could be considered off-balance sheet arrangements except for those disclosed in Note 7 to our consolidated financial statements included in Item 8. of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009.

Fair Value Measurements

As described in Note 12 to our unaudited consolidated financial statements included in Part I. Item I. of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, effective January 1, 2008, we adopted the authoritative guidance for fair value measurements in ASC 820-10, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures,” which has been applied prospectively beginning January 1, 2008 for all financial assets and liabilities recognized in the consolidated financial statements at fair value. The authoritative guidance defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value under GAAP and expands fair value measurement disclosures. The guidance also allowed for a one-year delay of the effective date for fair value measurements for all non-financial assets and liabilities, except for those that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a recurring basis. We delayed the effective date and applied the measurement provisions for all non-financial assets and liabilities that are recognized at fair value in the consolidated financial statements on a non-recurring basis until January 1, 2009. Our non-recurring non-financial assets and liabilities include long-lived assets held and used, goodwill and intangible assets. These assets are recognized at fair value when they are deemed to be impaired. As of September 30, 2010, we did not have any unobservable (Level III) inputs in determining fair value for our assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis other than our real estate funds.

 

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Our market risks primarily consist of the impact of changes in currency exchange rates on assets and liabilities, the impact of changes in the market value of certain of our investments and the impact of changes in interest rates. As of September 30, 2010, no material change had occurred in our market risks, compared with the disclosure in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009 included in Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.

 

Item 4. Controls and Procedures.

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls

We evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (“Disclosure Controls”) as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), as of the end of the period covered by this report. This evaluation (“Controls Evaluation”) was done with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”).

Disclosure Controls are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our CEO and CFO, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Limitations on the Effectiveness of Controls

Our management, including our CEO and CFO, does not expect that our Disclosure Controls or our internal control over financial reporting will prevent all error and all fraud. A control system, no matter how well conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance that the objectives of a control system are met. Further, any control system reflects limitations on resources, and the benefits of a control system must be considered relative to its costs. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, within D&B have been detected. Judgments in decision-making can be faulty and breakdowns can occur because of simple error or mistake. Additionally, controls can be circumvented by individual acts, by collusion of two or more people, or by management override. A design of a control system is also based upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions. Over time, controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate. Because of the inherent limitations in a cost-effective control system, misstatements due to error or fraud may occur and may not be detected. Our Disclosure Controls are designed to provide reasonable assurance of achieving their objectives.

 

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Conclusions regarding Disclosure Controls

Based upon our Controls Evaluation, our CEO and CFO have concluded that as of the end of the quarter ended September 30, 2010, our Disclosure Controls are effective at a reasonable assurance level.

Change in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

There was no change in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the third quarter of 2010 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

Information in response to this Item is included in “Part I — Item 1. — Note 7 — Contingencies” and is incorporated by reference into Part II of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

 

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

The following table provides information about purchases made by or on behalf of the Company or our affiliated purchasers during the quarter ended September 30, 2010, of shares of equity that are registered by the Company pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act.

ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

 

Period

   Total Number
of  Shares
Purchased
(a)(b)
     Average
Price  Paid
Per Share
     Total Number
of  Shares
Purchased as
part of  Publicly
Announced
Plans or
Programs(a)(b)
     Maximum Number
of  Currently
Authorized Shares
that May Yet Be
Purchased Under
the Plans  or
Programs(a)
     Approximate
Dollar  Value of
Currently
Authorized  Shares
that May Yet Be
Purchased Under
the Plans or
Programs(b)
 
     (Amounts in millions, except per share data)  

July 1 - 31, 2010

     0.3       $ 68.01         0.3         —         $ —     

August 1 - 31, 2010

     —         $ —           —           —         $ —     

September 1 - 30, 2010

     —         $ —           —           —         $ —     
                          
     0.3       $ 68.01         0.3         5.0       $ 114.3   
                          

 

(a) During the three months ended September 30, 2010 we repurchased less than 0.1 million shares of common stock for $2.0 million under our Board of Directors approved repurchase program to mitigate the dilutive effect of the shares issued under our stock incentive plans and Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“ESPP”). This program was announced in August 2006 and expired in August 2010. The maximum number of shares authorized for repurchase under this program is 5.0 million shares, of which 4.8 million shares had been repurchased at the time this program expired in August 2010.

In May 2010, our Board of Directors approved a new four-year, five million share repurchase program to mitigate the dilutive effect of the shares issued under our stock incentive plans and ESPP. During the three months ended September 30, 2010, no shares were repurchased under this program.

 

(b) During the three months ended September 30, 2010, we repurchased 0.3 million shares of common stock for $18.0 million related to a previously announced $200 million share repurchase program approved by our Board of Directors in February 2009. We anticipate that this program will be completed by December 2011.

 

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Item 6. Exhibits

 

Exhibit 31.1

   Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15(d)-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

Exhibit 31.2

   Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a)/15(d)-14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

Exhibit 32.1

   Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

Exhibit 32.2

   Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

Exhibit 101

   The following financial information from the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2010 formatted in Extensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL): (i) the Consolidated Statements of Operations, (ii) the Consolidated Balance Sheets, (iii) the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, (iv) the Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity, and (v) the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, tagged as block text.*

 

* Users of this interactive data file are advised pursuant to Rule 406T of Regulation S-T that this interactive data file is deemed not filed or part of a registration statement or prospectus for purposes of sections 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933, is deemed not filed for purposes of section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and otherwise is not subject to liability under these sections.

 

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Table of Contents

 

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

THE DUN & BRADSTREET CORPORATION
By:  

/s/ Anastasios G. Konidaris

  Anastasios G. Konidaris
  Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Date: November 2, 2010
By:  

/s/ Anthony Pietrontone Jr.

  Anthony Pietrontone Jr.
  Principal Accounting Officer and Corporate Controller
Date: November 2, 2010

 

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